Category: Highlights

Caribbean identity and spirituality lead the discussion at the Drums of ALBA Festival

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Caracas, June 21, 2024 – As part of the Drums of ALBA: Beats of our Identity event taking place in Venezuela, the conference “Caribbean Identity and Spirituality” was held this Friday. Anthropologist and Venezuelan researcher Diógenes Díaz began his presentation by emphasizing that “spirituality in the Caribbean was a political stance, just as all traditions […]

Caracas, June 21, 2024 – As part of the Drums of ALBA: Beats of our Identity event taking place in Venezuela, the conference “Caribbean Identity and Spirituality” was held this Friday.

Anthropologist and Venezuelan researcher Diógenes Díaz began his presentation by emphasizing that “spirituality in the Caribbean was a political stance, just as all traditions and ancestral cults of the Caribbean were a political response to colonial practices in order to subdue us”.

He also noted that each tradition highlights deities and spiritual leaders to confront those who seek to dominate peoples. “Drums and ceremonies disrupt the order because these are celebrations of black people”, he concluded.

He added “All the traditions we have are part of our great political instruments to counteract dominant narratives that labeled us as witches, fetishists.”

He emphasized the urgency, in the current times, to strengthen the spiritual wisdom of our peoples with our own strength.

Art and spirituality in the Caribbean

Sophia Lee, an artist and cultural researcher from Barbados, stated that this Caribbean country was impacted by colonialism through the imposition of slavery. “However, this did not stop the colonized from expressing their art.”

Lee emphasized that in the 21st century, the “corruption of colonization” continues. In this regard, she indicated that art and traditions must continue to be tools for promoting freedom.

Furthermore, Lee mentioned that rituals and dances also have a connection with the entire African and Caribbean spirituality. In this sense, she noted that she has been working on proposing the inclusion of spirituality as a subject of study in schools and universities.

The Spiritual and the Physical

María Fernanda Romero, a researcher at the Centro de Saberes Africanos (Institute of African Knowledge) in Venezuela, said that without spirituality, there is no body, and that spirit manifests in the physical reality. “Separating the physical from the spiritual goes against humanity,” she added.

Romero explained that capitalism has tried to attack, persecute, and eradicate the spirituality of peoples. “The stripping away of spirituality, our culture, our territory, aimed to kill the beliefs of the African people to be used for production, all related to the economic aspect”, she stated.

She added that “it is the same dispossession being done to Palestine today, but the people continue and will continue to resist.”

Drums of ALBA: music is the weapon for the freedom of peoples against imperialism

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Caracas, June 21, 2024 – The Culture and Politics Conference began this Friday, the second day of the Drums of ALBA: Beats of our identity, an event that brings together artistic groups from the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), Africa and the Caribbean. Along with his singing […]

Caracas, June 21, 2024 – The Culture and Politics Conference began this Friday, the second day of the Drums of ALBA: Beats of our identity, an event that brings together artistic groups from the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), Africa and the Caribbean.

Along with his singing and Barbados drums, cultural ambassador Anthony Carter highlighted that each beat carries expressions of culture and politics, as well as the voices of peoples defending their identity and sovereignty.

Additionally, he mentioned that Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean are one people, cultural brothers.

Similarly, Bouna Mbaye, coordinator of the Pan-African League-Umoja from Benin, expressed that music promotes unity “and together we can achieve everything”.

“This is a historic encounter in the history of solidarity (…) It is the first time I have had the opportunity to connect with people from Barbados, Saint Lucia, and different parts of the world,” Mbaye added.

For the coordinator of the Pan-African League-Umoja, it is necessary to abandon silence and apathy, and use music to raise the message of revolution and freedom.

Finally, he condemned the genocide in Gaza and called on the entire world, especially artists, to denounce this crime.

The closing of the Culture and Politics Conference was led by Venezuelan researcher Argenis Delgado, who affirmed that the ALBA Drums Festival is essential for strengthening cultural integration.

“To talk about culture and politics from the Afro perspective necessarily involves the drum, the ancestral messenger instrument. It is the healing instrument, without the drum, who knows what would happen to us,” he stated.

He emphasized that the drum is what ignites the spark of revolutions. “Haiti is our main reference… The first example of rebellion begins with the drum,” he highlighted.

For Delgado, music is part of politics and is essential for elevating the message of sovereignty and Afro-descendants. The researcher proposed organizing an ALBA meeting with indigenous leaders, as well as reissuing the Afro-descendant Festival of the Alliance.

From June 20 to June 23, Venezuela, a member country of the Alliance, was hosting the ‘Drums of ALBA: Beats of our identity event, a celebration that included conferences and musical performances from participating countries.

Additionally, cultural groups will visit various states of Venezuela in the context of the Day of Spirituality on June 22 and the festive cycle of San Juan Bautista.

Drum Woman: A feminine expression of ALBA

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Caracas, June 20, 2024. – The afternoon session of the “Drums of ALBA: Beats of our Identity” event — which began this Thursday in Venezuela — featured the conference “Drum Woman” which addressed the influence of women in the culture of the countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ […]

Caracas, June 20, 2024. – The afternoon session of the “Drums of ALBA: Beats of our Identity” event — which began this Thursday in Venezuela — featured the conference “Drum Woman” which addressed the influence of women in the culture of the countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), Latin America, Africa, and the entire Caribbean.

Ivonne Thompson, musical director of Herencia Mujer Tambor (Venezuela), indicated that the drum is an ancestral language that unites women with the same needs for sisterhood.

“I discovered the use of the drum to express a feeling. Being a musical director is a continuous learning process, and I feel committed to make people feel through an instrument, because we are souls, women players united by music,” expressed Thompson.

She said that throughout history, the drum has been dominated by men “and we, women can also play from this feminine being. The tan-tan are the heartbeats, the drum is the womb of that woman from which life emerges (…) We don’t want to play louder than men; we want to create poetry.”

“Playing the drum makes us free”

On the other hand, Sixela Machado, singer of the Elegguá group, also from Venezuela, stated that women in drumming have been growing and overcoming the prejudices of a macho society.

“The revolutionary process has come to reclaim the value and prominence of women in Venezuela (…) Women are not to be used as sexual objects; we are the creation to give life, and in drumming, we come to create family. We don’t have to be behind men on a stage (…) Playing the drum makes us free,” affirmed Machado from the Bolívar Theater in Caracas.

Cuban Drums

“The drum is life, joy, just like women are; it is elegance, it is fraternal, and Afro-descendant women in Cuba have always been involved in the struggles, we have always been warriors,” stated Geraldine Gallardo, singer and percussionist of the Camagüey Folkloric Ballet.

She mentioned that it is the woman who is always present and organizing the ceremonies: “women have grown and believe that we are very important; there are many women around the world doing wonderful things with the drums, because the drum is freedom, the drum opens everything for you.”

She also said that percussion is the heart of music on all continents, starting with Africa.

Musicality and ALBA

Finally, Meybe Ugueto, a member of the Trama Danza Collective (Venezuela), explained that the drum is also a “political instrument”.

According to Ugueto, the drums, the alliance, and trade were sacralized through the drum with this gathering. “Thinking about the drum within the Alliance for the Peoples of Our America and the role of women is a blessing”, she added.

African presence in our Latin America and the Caribbean opened the conferences of “Drums of ALBA”

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Caracas, June 20, 2024. – The conference “African presence in our Latin America and the Caribbean” was the opening session of the “Drums of ALBA: Beats of our Identity” event, which began this Thursday in Venezuela. Venezuelan writer and historian José Marcial Ramos Guedez highlighted that cultural identity is a central topic in the country’s […]

Caracas, June 20, 2024. – The conference “African presence in our Latin America and the Caribbean” was the opening session of the “Drums of ALBA: Beats of our Identity” event, which began this Thursday in Venezuela.

Venezuelan writer and historian José Marcial Ramos Guedez highlighted that cultural identity is a central topic in the country’s cultural debates, as well as the African influences.

He pointed out that Venezuelan culture includes traditions from Cuba, as well as Catholic festivities such as San Juan Bautista, Diablos Danzantes del Corpus Christi, among other celebrations.

‘Here in Venezuela, we also use terms like Afro-descendants, Afro-Venezuelans, in order to combat discrimination,’ emphasized Guedez.

Afro-descendant economic contribution

Roy Arzú, from the Pan-African Federalist Movement of Honduras, asserted that “the economic structure is the result of the sacrifice and contribution of Afro-descendants over the last 500 years”.

He highlighted that part of the wealth of capitalist nations “is built on the blood of our Afro-descendants (…) We also include our Haitian brothers and sisters”.

The conference concluded with a participation by Raymond Weekes, a cultural researcher from Saint Lucia, who emphasized the importance of ancestral music in the development of each nation’s identity.

This Thursday afternoon, the event will be filled with drums, rhythms, and songs to celebrate the integration of Latin American, African, and Caribbean cultures.

Jorge Arreaza: ALBA is like the drum; it makes us rebel against oppression

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Caracas, June 20, 2024. – “We will follow the paths marked by our own drums with our rhythms. ALBA (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples’ Trade Treaty) is like the drum, it makes us rebel us against oppression, against injustice, and it confirms that we were born together and that only together we […]

Caracas, June 20, 2024. – “We will follow the paths marked by our own drums with our rhythms. ALBA (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples’ Trade Treaty) is like the drum, it makes us rebel us against oppression, against injustice, and it confirms that we were born together and that only together we can be happy.”

This was expressed by the Executive Secretary of the Alliance on Thursday during the inauguration of the “Drums of ALBA: Beats of our Identity” event, which is being held in Venezuela from June 20 to 23.

In his speech, Arreaza emphasized that this is a celebration not only for music but also for the exchange of knowledge and culture among the countries of ALBA, as well as the Latin American, Caribbean, and African regions.

“We are all Afro-descendants. The drums and their beats are a call to consciousness; the drums heal, warn, direct (…) In the cultural code of Mother Africa, their origins beat and unite us towards the future,” he highlighted.

He also recalled that ALBA is the creation of Hugo Chávez Frías and Fidel Castro. “Our commanders created ALBA like the drum, because they united us to walk together, for integration.”

Arreaza stated: “If we do not integrate our heritages, if we do not embrace them, if we do not dance together, that integration will be little more than nothing. ALBA is the daughter of Simón Bolívar, and Bolívar belongs to all of us.”

Jorge Arreaza welcomed the member countries of the Alliance and all the nations that have come to share their tradition and cultural expression to this celebration.

Countries from the bloc attending the event include: Cuba, Bolivia, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, among other guests such as Benin, Colombia, and Honduras.

“Drums of ALBA: Beats of our identity” event began in Caracas

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Caracas, June 20, 2024. – The “Drums of ALBA: Beats of our identity” started this Thursday at the Bolívar Theater in Caracas, Venezuela. This event serves as a platform to highlight the ancestral culture of the member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP). The event […]

Caracas, June 20, 2024. – The “Drums of ALBA: Beats of our identity” started this Thursday at the Bolívar Theater in Caracas, Venezuela. This event serves as a platform to highlight the ancestral culture of the member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP).

The event brings together more than 400 participants, including musical groups and speakers from Venezuela, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Benin, Grenada, Bolivia, Colombia, Haiti, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, among other countries and special guests.

This festival, which will take place until June 23, was opened with a musical performance by the Venezuelan group ‘Herencia Wifi’, followed by Mighty Gabby, cultural ambassador of Barbados, and the group ‘Skin Rhythm’ from Saint Lucia.

Similarly, various conferences were scheduled for Thursday and Friday, including: African Presence in Our Latin America and the Caribbean; Culture and Politics; Caribbean Identity and Spirituality; Economy and Cultural Tourism; and Caribbean Intellectualism.

The event’s program includes morning conferences followed by concerts and drum performances from various groups such as Tambor y Gloria (Venezuela), The Paix-Bouche Drummers (Dominica), Herencia WiFi (Venezuela), Les Espoirs Group (Benin, Africa), Hells Gate Steel Orchestra (Antigua and Barbuda), Drum Foundation (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), among others.

To celebrate the Feast of San Juan in the Bolivarian country and to facilitate cultural exchange among the different cultures present, the event includes visits to several states in Venezuela (Miranda, La Guaira, Carabobo, Aragua, and the Capital District), as well as a Spirituality Day procession in Caracas on June 22.

ALBA-TCP proposes action lines for the Risk and Disaster Management System in the region

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Caracas, June 11, 2024. – Defining an action line for risk and disaster management was the main point of a videoconference held this Tuesday by the member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP). The meeting was held in order to agree on different ways to […]

Caracas, June 11, 2024. – Defining an action line for risk and disaster management was the main point of a videoconference held this Tuesday by the member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP).

The meeting was held in order to agree on different ways to combat the effects of climate change, as well as to keep populations prepared for any environment-related situation.

The Executive Secretary of the Alliance, Jorge Arreaza, reminded that it is essential to develop a Risk and Disaster Management System for the ALBA countries, an initiative that was approved at the last Summit of the regional bloc, held in April 2024.

In the videoconference, Arreaza stated that ALBA must focus on this system, as well as “evaluate the possibilities that we have to organize ourselves”.

On the other hand, Cuba and Venezuela offered to conduct training workshops about natural disasters, taking into account prevention mechanisms, population responses, and the creation of school brigades.

Additionally, Antigua and Barbuda emphasized the need to establish shelters for unexpected natural events that could affect families in more vulnerable countries.

They also raised the necessity of creating collection centers to support member countries of the bloc affected by climatic effects such as floods, droughts, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, among others.

Emergency fund for disaster response

Raúl Li Causi, President of the Executive Board of the Bank of ALBA, proposed the need to create an operational manual for addressing climate-related cases and a mapping of the most vulnerable areas.

He also pointed out that “from the Bank of ALBA, we provide resources for emergency care”.

To this end, the creation of an emergency fund was proposed, managed by the Bank of ALBA, which would allow Heads of State and Government to make a quick use of resources for decision-making in emergency situations.

ALBA-TCP Cooperation Agency and Other Proposals

It is expected that on July 25, the ALBA-TCP Cooperation Agency will be established in Caracas, which could have funds allocated for the study of risk situations, among other topics.

“We are one people, brothers of ALBA (…) the goal is to create a system that we can articulate internationally (…) the education of the people is also fundamental”, Arreaza stated at the end of the meeting.

The 10 countries of the Alliance supported the creation of this system to protect the peoples of the member countries.

ALBA-TCP Executive Secretary: The Mexican people have a new consolidated democracy

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Mexico City, June 3, 2024.- The ALBA-TCP Executive Secretary, Jorge Arreaza, was present in the federal elections of Mexico 2024 held this Sunday, June 2. He visited different points of the city where he was able to witness the process and civility of the Mexican people. From Mexico City, interviewed by Telesur, and in his […]

Mexico City, June 3, 2024.- The ALBA-TCP Executive Secretary, Jorge Arreaza, was present in the federal elections of Mexico 2024 held this Sunday, June 2. He visited different points of the city where he was able to witness the process and civility of the Mexican people.

From Mexico City, interviewed by Telesur, and in his capacity as an international guest to accompany the process to elect the President of that nation, as well as other relevant positions in the Senate, governorships, mayor’s office, among others, Arreaza emphasized that the Mexican people have a new consolidated democracy.

“Today we have seen serenity, commitment, people of all ages and a lot of civility. Many people went to the polls today (June 2) with the certainty that their vote would be respected, as rarely happened before in Mexico.”

He affirmed that the consolidation of the Fourth transformation for Latin America is essential and recalled that the outgoing president Manuel López Obrador (2018-2024) came to power in very complicated times, “and came with his determination, with his democratic spirit to light up the flame of ethics and Latin American unity again”.

The path of America

The Executive Secretary said that the regional bloc is willing to continue fighting until the peoples of America consolidate their union as fraternal countries, respecting their sovereignty and independence.

Regarding Venezuela, a member country of the Alliance, Arreaza said that there will be presidential elections on July 28, which will be a new chapter in the Venezuelan democracy.

In Mexico, 98,329,591 million voters were eligible to exercise their right to vote and choose the Head of State, among other new authorities.

The National Electoral Institute (INE in Spanish) of Mexico confirmed on Monday that the candidate for the coalition called “Let’s Keep Making History,” Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, won the Presidency obtaining between 58.3 % and 60.7 % of the vote.

Sheinbaum expressed her gratitude to Mexicans who voted for her to become the first female Mexican president, in its more than 200 years of republican history, in the largest elections in this country, as well as presenting the first outlines of what her government management will be.

Community leaders from Venezuela participate in the construction of ALBA-TCP agenda

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Caracas, May 18, 2024 (Mincomunas Press).- Last Saturday, spokespeople from eight Communal Councils belonging to Commander Hugo Chávez Commune, located in Santa Rosalía parish, Libertador municipality, participated in a territorial assembly of social movements to contribute to the Venezuelan popular movement to the 2030 Agenda of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America […]

Caracas, May 18, 2024 (Mincomunas Press).- Last Saturday, spokespeople from eight Communal Councils belonging to Commander Hugo Chávez Commune, located in Santa Rosalía parish, Libertador municipality, participated in a territorial assembly of social movements to contribute to the Venezuelan popular movement to the 2030 Agenda of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), and to the World Social Alternative.

The meeting was led by the coordinator of Social Movements of the ALBA-TCP Executive Secretariat, Rubén Pereira, and the Vice Minister of Social Movements, Fernando Rodríguez, who highlighted the importance of creating a space for interaction between social movements and popular organizations to generate debates, agreements, and contributions.

He affirmed that despite the fact that Venezuela has been harassed by the United States government, it has never stopped fighting and seeking a way out of all these aggressions and sanctions. “For this, we have relied on the organization of people’s power and community-based government that has demonstrated its strength in defending our homeland.

On the other hand, Professor Pereira presented a lecture about the mission, vision, and achievements of the ALBA-TCP; he also explained that the regional integration organization was born on December 14, 2004, when it was founded by Commanders Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez, with the aim of promoting Latin America and the Caribbean integration and unity.

Achievements

Pereira provided a brief overview of the achievements reached by ALBA-TCP in its 19 years of existence, starting with the declaration of territories free of illiteracy, the creation of Misión Milagro (Eye care Social Mission), as well as the psychosocial genetic clinical study of people with disabilities and the training of high school graduates as community doctors.

According to the coordinator of Social Movements, Commander Chávez holds great importance for the region because he dedicated himself to strengthening existing integration mechanisms and processes and establishing new ones.

The community members recognized the importance of the activity as it allows them to socialize and delve into the social policies that the Bolivarian Government guarantees to support and assist communities.

Day of the Palestinian Struggle: ALBA-TCP reaffirms solidarity agenda with the Palestinian people

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Caracas, May 15, 2024.- The Day of the Palestinian Struggle was commemorated this Wednesday in the square of Humboldt Hotel, Waraira Repano, in Caracas with a message of solidarity, poetry, the demand for full freedom and the end of the genocide in Gaza. The activity was organized by the Bolivarian Alliance of the Peoples of […]

Caracas, May 15, 2024.- The Day of the Palestinian Struggle was commemorated this Wednesday in the square of Humboldt Hotel, Waraira Repano, in Caracas with a message of solidarity, poetry, the demand for full freedom and the end of the genocide in Gaza.

The activity was organized by the Bolivarian Alliance of the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) and the Free Palestine Movement; and it was attended by the Executive Vice President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez; Ambassador Fadi Alzaben; Diplomatic corps accredited to the country, members of the Palestinian community, among other citizens who support the sovereignty of that fraternal nation.

The event began with a poem recited by Hindu Anderi, an activist at the international platform of solidarity with Palestine. “You can’t beat me on land or sea, you can’t keep me silent even if you hold back my scream, you can’t kill me even if you shoot my belly… My name saves me, my name is Palestina,” she said.

A flag for Palestine

The Bolivarian Alliance’s Secretary, Jorge Arreaza, said that on behalf of the regional bloc and the Government of Venezuela, the flag of Palestine of 330 square meters, made during more than 40 hours, was raised; and he announced that ALBA is developing a series of actions in solidarity with the Palestinian people, which is currently attacked to death by the Zionist State of Israel.

He recalled that this May 15 was the 76th anniversary of the Nakba or “catastrophe”, when hundreds of Palestinians were evicted from their territory by the Israeli army. “An occupying power declared itself the owner of a territory that did not belong to it, nor will belong to it; and in order to justify its existence imposed by the imperial powers, it began a widespread massacre. It caused a violent and forced displacement, of a kind people, who inhabited those lands in peace and tolerance” Arreaza said.

The Executive Secretary reaffirmed that ALBA-TCP committed itself in April to defend the freedom of the State of Palestine, “and this is the first activity we are carrying out.”

On the other hand, the Ambassador of Palestine in Venezuela, Fadi Alzaben, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the entire Government of his country for the raising of the flag of Palestine in the Waraira Repano and for the solidarity of Venezuela and the ALBA countries.

He said that 76 years ago about 800,000 Palestinians were dispossessed of their homes. “Today, more than 7 million Palestinians hope to return to their homeland,” while he denounced that the attacks have left more than 35,000 people killed and over 1.9 million Palestinians displaced.

The genocide perpetrated by the Zionist State of Israel from October 7th until today has destroyed 459 Palestinian schools, mostly built by the United Nations (UN), as well as 500 mosques, 443 hospitals, three churches and more than 70% of the infrastructure of the Gaza Strip. In addition, there are over 19.000 orphaned children.

A just cause

The Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez claimed it was an honor to be present on behalf of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to raise the Palestinian flag.

“Palestine is one of the most just causes that unites us and unites the peoples of the world”, she said, adding “a small group of countries, defending Zionism, seeks to dominate the will of the entire world”.

She recalled that recently at the UN, 145 countries voted in favor of the Palestinian state’s entry into this organization as a full member.

“Only nine countries, directed and led by the U.S. government, shamefully opposed the membership of Palestine, which shows us that it is not only the Zionist State of Israel, but that Zionism has taken over the main centers of power,” she warned.

The Executive Vice President asserted that the numbers of murdered and displaced people that have been registered in the Palestinian nation show “the serious crisis” of the UN; and called on all the peoples of the world to continue raising their voices for the freedom of this State. “That territory has always belonged to Palestine, the rest has been a lie of the United States,” she concluded.