The worlds biggest fossil fuel burning Jamborie is about to start this weekend, with plances flying in from all around the world to make the business of bombing more family friendly than the business of climate change.

That funny little old lady (the Queen), who told us at Christmas to switch our lights off to help climate change, will be there on Friday to watch a 90 plane fly past in her honour. read full story / add a comment

At lunchtime today a group of protestors from the Bristol Solidarity Campaign and Espacio Bristol Colombia performed a lively and menacing piece of street theatre outside Bristol University's Wills Memorial Hall at the Triangle in central Bristol, bringing public attention to the intimidation, torture, mass murder, disappearance and displacement of poor people, trades unionists and human rights activists in Colombia, committed by the state in direct collusion with transnational corporations. read full story / add a comment

On Saturday the 1st of March, the Bristol Latin American Forum took over Bristol University's Department of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies for a third year running. The forum incorporated plenaries, information stalls and workshops by a wide range of Latin American organisations and solidarity groups with performances, motif explanations and practicals by music, dance and cultural outfits, food and drink by the Kebele Social Centre, an all day film screening by Cinema Klandestino and a World Café 'interactive topic discussion' experiment - leading on to a rip-roaring after party at The Kuumba Centre. As in the years before, the day was a huge success. read full story / add a comment

BRISTOL LATIN AMERICAN FORUM
Saturday 1st of March 2008

Latin America is in a crucial stage of transition. Right now, history is unfolding before our eyes with dynamic movements changing the face of the continent. The Bristol Latin American Forum, which is now in its third consecutive year, invites you to explore these current issues in a stimulating political and cultural event. The day will feature an opening panel of distinguished speakers followed by workshops focusing on a range of Latin American topics, from neo-liberalism and struggles for liberation to film and literature. This year the Venezuelan Consular to the UK, Alvaro Sanchez, will speak and also run a workshop on The Revolution In Venezuela. There will be film, music and food. The forum will be held from 10am - 6pm on Saturday, 1st of March 2008 at the Department of Hispanic, Portuguese & Latin American Studies, University of Bristol, 15 Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 (entry at the rear of No. 21), hosted by Dr Matthew Brown. Entry is free (donations welcome), but note there are only 100 places for the day event, so arrive early. Now is your chance to get informed and get involved.

Speakers:

• ALVARO SANCHEZ – Venezuelan Consular to the UK & Ireland.
• AMANCAY COLQUE - Bolivia Solidarity Campaign Co-ordinator.
• ANDY HIGGINBOTTOM - Editor of Frontline Latin America.

Workshops on:

• The links between music and politics: live performances by LA musicians.
• Capoeira - an expression of Afro-Brazilian resistance culture.
• Climate change in Latin America: palm-oil and bio-fuels.
• Continuing repression in Colombia, and more.

Lunch will be provided by the Kebele Social Centre. Cinema Klandestino at the Forum will show film made in and/or about Latin America all day long.

After-Party:

Pachanga Sudaka present an evening of live Latin music at Kuumba Arts & Community Resource, 20-23 Hepburn Road, off Stokes Croft, Bristol BS6, with live acts as follows:

• ORQUESTA MONTPELIER - 16 Piece live salsa band from Bristol. Playing a fusion of Latin rhythms, Hip Hop and Afro-Cuban beats. One of the UK's most exciting orchestras of experimental Salsa.
• COLORES DE MI TIERRA - Rhythms, dances and melodies from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, reflecting a rich culture that is rooted in a mixture of African, Indigenous and European cultures.
• EL MERCADO DE MIRÁN - Contemporary acoustic music inspired by the traditional rhythms and melodies of African, Amerindian and European folklore in Latin America.

Plus Latin-Mashup DJs. £4/£5 entry.

Bristol Latin American Forum 2008 On The Web:

LIVE WEBCASTING of workshops with interactive discussions (and further information) can be accessed at http://bristollaf.blogspot.com/

Key Participant Organisations: Colombia Solidarity Campaign, Bristol Solidarity with Venezuela, Cuba Solidarity, Kiptik, Espacio Bristol-Colombia, BLINC, Bolivia Solidarity Campaign, Mapuche International Link. read full story / add a comment

BRISTOL LATIN AMERICAN FORUM 2008
PRESS RELEASE

Latin America is in a crucial stage of transition. Right now, history is unfolding before our eyes with dynamic movements changing the face of the continent. The Bristol Latin American Forum, which is now in its third consecutive year, invites you to explore these current issues in a stimulating political and cultural event. read full story / add a comment

Regional secretary for the CWU Kevin Beazer regional secretary explains the roots of the current dispute read full story / add a comment

THURSDAY JULY THE 12TH

At Kebele Social Centre, 14 Robertson Road, Easton, from 7.00 pm.

'Occupied Factories in Argentina'. Video length: 50 minutes. Five years on from the 2002 crisis of neo-liberalism and Argentina still has many factories and workplaces occupied by their workers, trying to create an autonomous future without capitalism or the state. This 'warts and all' documentary video chronicles the experiences and visions of these pioneers. Discussion: What can we learn from these examples? Are such actions possible here in the UK? How could they be effected?
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Afterwards, any survivors will repair to the Espacio/ Bristol Colombia Solidarity Latin Benefit Party at the 'Kalabash', 120 Cheltenham Road. read full story / add a comment

The schedule for the day event at the Bristol Latin American Forum on Saturday March the 10th at the University of Bristol is now packed and ready - feast your eyes on the programme below, including a timetable, and list of workshops and film screenings. The day event is free, but PLEASE remember that places are limited to 100 so if you want to guarantee a place, then get there EARLY. Note also the £6 evening event at The Full Moon on Stokes Croft with top Cuban hip hop artists and Bristol's own 16 piece salsa band! read full story / add a comment

Themed around social and cultural changes in Latin America, the LAF is a vibrant day event with workshops, plenaries, discussion, music, film, and food by Kebele. It also includes a related evening event with Cuban hip hop artists and a 16 piece salsa band.

“The 2006 Forum really got behind the headlines and rhetoric about Latin America with some inspiring first hand speakers. Talking with Venezuelans and Colombians about the situation in their countries brought the issues sharply into focus. Count me in for 2007.” Alix Hughes, Bristol Link With Nicaragua

"I learned a huge amount about Latin American issues during the day, and very much enjoyed the discussions. The evening fiesta was terrific too, giving a chance to talk informally... and I made a few new friends too!" Student attendee at LAF 2006 read full story / add a comment

Genocide in Fallujah
Terrorism is not acceptable : Locally nor Nationally read full story / add a comment

The Latin American Forum at the Dept. of Hispanic Studies and Student Union of Bristol University was an exciting, unforgettable event. The day started with an array of stalls, speakers and workshops, proceeding on through to a grand cultural fiesta with food, films and live bands. read full story / add a comment

Just a reminder to say the final pre-event meeting will be held:

Thursday the 9th of March, 7.30-9.00 PM

Upstairs at 'La Ruca' Health Food Shop/ Cafe, 89 Gloucester Road, Bristol

Bristol's Latin American Forum will be held on SATURDAY THE 11th OF MARCH, in conjunction with the Hispanic Society at Bristol University's Department of Hispanic, Portuguese & Latin American Studies, and the Bristol Colombia Solidarity Campaign.

Any who wish to help in the final arrangements and volunteer to run the event are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there.

Kevin McGimpsey
Tom Whittaker
Mario Novelli
Claire Hall read full story / add a comment

The Bristol Latin American Forum is an exciting political and cultural event to be held on Saturday, 11th of March in conjunction with the Hispanic Society at the Department of Hispanic Studies, University of Bristol, and the Bristol Colombia Solidarity Campaign. It will focus on the political, social and economic changes now sweeping across Latin America, especially in areas such as challenges to neo-liberalism, self empowerment for the poor, environmental issues and human rights. read full story / add a comment

Thursday the 23rd of February, 7.30-9.00 PM

At 'La Ruca' Health Food Shop/ Cafe, 89 Gloucester Road, Bristol

Bristol's Latin American Forum will be held on SATURDAY THE 11th OF MARCH, in conjunction with the Hispanic Society at Bristol University's Department of Hispanic, Portuguese & Latin American Studies, and the Bristol Colombia Solidarity Campaign. These groups' support has given us an invaluable opportunity.

Publicity is now finalised. This Thursday's meeting will be an ideal time to pick up posters and flyers.

Any who are interested are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there.

Kevin McGimpsey
Tom Whittaker
Mario Novelli
Claire Hall read full story / add a comment

Thursday the 16th of February. Planning Meeting for the event building in conjunction with the university Hispanic Studies department and the student union: the main focus for this week is publicity read full story / add a comment

Thursday the 9th of February, 7.30-9.30 PM

At 'La Ruca' Health Food Shop/ Cafe, 89 Gloucester Road, Bristol

Bristol's Latin American Forum will now definitely be held on SATURDAY THE 11th OF MARCH, in conjunction with Bristol University's Department of Hispanic, Portuguese & Latin American Studies, and the Bristol Colombia Solidarity Campaign. These groups' support has given us an invaluable opportunity.

Everyone is invited to take part in building this amazing event. There will be workshops, speakers, stalls, films, food and music - all with a Latin American political feel.

Any who are interested are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there.

Kevin McGimpsey
Tom Whittaker
Mario Novelli
Claire Hall read full story / add a comment

Organising an event of workshops, speakers, food, music and film to celebrate the revolutionary social, economic and cultural changes being pursued by popular movements across Latin America. read full story / add a comment

Is the most effective way for Marxists to fight the imperialists to convert to the Islamic faith, and join our Muslim brothers in their holy jihad?Can the red and islamic flags fly together over downing street? All welcome . 12/08/04, Cafe Marx, Picton st, Montpelier, Bristol read full story / add a comment

Tuesday the 25th of May, Smiles Brewery Tap, 8.00pm. read full story / add a comment

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