Sydney tribute to Che Guevara

Sydney tribute to Che Guevara

By Margaret Gleeson

SYDNEY — Six hundred people packed a University of Technology hall on October 11 to celebrate the life and ideas of Ernesto "Che" Guevara on the 30th anniversary of his death.

The evening had a decidedly political focus and achieved its aim of correcting the misinformation and distortions of Che perpetuated in the mass media.

The multi-media presentation included short talks on Che's Bolivian expedition, his ideas on the role of men and women in the transformation to a socialist society, and his internationalism. The talks were based on the writings and speeches of Che and Fidel Castro, interspersed with historical video clips.

The evening included poetry readings and songs, the highlight a reading by leading Cuban poet Pablo Armando Fernandez. Cuban Consul Jorge Valdes also addressed the gathering on the meaning of Che's ideas for Cuba today.

The event was organised by a broad coalition and sponsored by ADEPU-Chile, Amigos de Cuba, Australia Cuba Friendship Society, CISLAC, Committee in Solidarity with Cuba (Western Suburbs), Communist League, Communist Party of Australia, Democratic Socialist Party, Indigenous Social Justice Association, Resistance and various unions and student organisations.

The coordinating committee has planned a seminar for Saturday, November 29, to discuss the issues raised at the Che commemoration in more depth. Open planning meetings will be held each week. For more information, phone 9565 1197.

From GLW issue 294