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
BRISTOL LATIN AMERICAN FORUM 2007
PRESS RELEASE
SUMMARY & SCHEDULE
The Bristol Latin American Forum is an exciting political and cultural
event to be held from 11 am - 6 pm on Saturday, 10th of March 2007 at
the Department of Hispanic & Portuguese Studies, University of
Bristol, 15 Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 (NOTE: entry is from the rear of
No. 21). Starting and ending with two speaker plenaries/ discussions
and having 15 widely varied workshops throughout the day, the Forum
will focus on the political, social, economic and cultural 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.
Speakers:
RICHARD SOLLY - activist in the Colombia Solidarity Campaign.
AMANCAY COLQUE - indigenous rights activist and spokeswoman for the Bolivia Solidarity Campaign.
FELIX PLASENCIA - Deputy Minister at the Venezuelan Embassy in London.
TARIQ ALI - historian, political commentator and author of ‘Pirates of The Caribbean: Axis Of Hope’ (Verso Press 2006).
Workshops:
Session 1 is themed around ‘Foreign Intervention & Local Resistance’.
Session 2 is themed around ‘Art, Culture & Identity’.
Session 3 is themed around ‘Social Movements & Solidarity’.
Lunch will be provided by the Kebele Social Centre. A Film Room at the
Forum will also show film made in and/ or about Latin America all day
long.
AFTER PARTY:
9 pm - 2 am at The Full Moon bar/ club, 1 North Street, Stokes Croft,
Bristol BS1 3PR. Featuring prominent Cuban hip-hop artists Obsesión
(founding fathers of the Cuban hip hop scene - their 2003 USA tour
culminated at the Harlem Apollo and they also performed at the 2006
World Social Forum in Venezuela), Los Paisanos (Havana underground rap
outfit since 2000), and Orchestra Montpelier (16-piece salsa creole
outfit). Contact The Full Moon on 01179 245 170 for details.
Key Participant Organisations: Colombia Solidarity Campaign, Bristol
Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, Cuba Solidarity, Kiptik, BLINC, Bolivia
Solidarity Campaign, Mapuche International.
Contact: Kevin
LAF Publicity Co-ordinator
RELATED EVENT: On Thursday the 8th of March, Melba Estrada and Gioconda
Perez will speak and hold a sceening entitled ‘Our America’ at La Ruca
Café, 89 Gloucester Road, Bristol, from 6.30pm onwards, on how Fair
Trade has changed the life of her community in Nicaragua. The event is
organised by Bristol Link With Nicaragua (BLINC). Ms Estrada will be
available all morning at Redcliffe Primary School (contact Nigel Isaac:
head teacher) on Wednesday the 7th of March for interviews and photo
opportunities with children. Ms Perez will be available from
14.00-15.30 hrs at Cotham Secondary School (contact Liz Crean: teacher)
on Thursday the 8th of March for interviews and photo opportunities
with children. They will also speak to the press about the Bristol
Latin American Forum.
|
