Belfast was the next port of call for the international delegation on Friday.
They were taken firstly to Stormont to meet with a number of Sinn Féin MLA’s. The MLAs described their work and how they use Stormont to further republican objectives. Following a Question and answer session the delegation moved on to an engagement in west Belfast.
A meeting was scheduled to take place in the heart of west Belfast’s gaeltacht with Seanna Walsh from Sinn Fein’s roinn na chultúir in the Culturlann. Seanna explained Sinn Fein’s objective of becoming a bi lingual party and the actions which are being undertaken to make this vision a reality. He also drew comparisons between the high importance given to culture in both the Basque country and Ireland.
Following the conclusion of the talk on culture Jim Gibney of Sinn Fein gave a talk on the importance of international solidarity and spoke of the strong bond between the Irish and Basque struggles for freedom and independence.
A visit to the Sinn Féin office on Sevastopol Street, west Belfast was next on the clár. The group spoke to Robert McClenaghan about the office and its day to day business. While there they also visited the international and publicity offices.
On the back of meeting Robert the group were taken to Queens Student union were they were given a tour of the Union and met with Michal Harkin, VP of Education. Michal explained the role of student politics and explained that the university was a site of struggle for any revolutionary organisation.
To conclude the day’s political events the international delegations met with a representative of the Belfast Basque committee who gave them a tour of the political wall murals in west Belfast. A highlight of the tour was a visit to the ‘international wall’ in Belfast which is dedicated to raising the plight of oppressed nations through murals. Various murals including many dedicated to the Basque struggle adorn the wall.
With a conclusion to the political events for the day West Belfast Ógra Shinn Féin hosted the international delegation for a meal in a local restaurant. Before retiring to bed for the evening the Basque delegation experienced a small taste of Irish culture by attending an Irish traditional session in Kelly’s cellar.
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