History
The Southern Cross Brigade is organised by friendship societies in Australia and New Zealand, in collaboration with the Cuban Institute for Friendship Amongst Peoples (ICAP), which is an organisation that maintains links with hundreds of organisations around the world with the aim of strengthening international friendship and solidarity.
The first brigade from Australia to Cuba was named the Eureka Brigade and left Australia in December 1983, returning in January of 1984. After this, New Zealanders were also invited and the brigade became known as the Southern Cross Brigade, or Brigada Cruz del Sur in Spanish. For 37 years straight, the Southern Cross Brigade engaged travellers in this important cultural exchange before an enforced break due to COVID-19. The 2023-24 Brigade included the 40th anniversary of the January 1984 trip.
The Southern Cross Brigade is attended by Australians and New Zealanders of all ages and backgrounds. Age is no barrier, as we have had brigadistas as young as 6 and as old as 88!
Many countries around the world have friendship societies that run similar brigades. Every year, brigadistas visit Cuba from Canada, the US, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the UK, South Korea, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, and other South American nations. These brigades aim to encourage international solidarity with Cuba and to give non-Cubans a personal connection to the Cuban Revolution.
The first brigade from Australia to Cuba was named the Eureka Brigade and left Australia in December 1983, returning in January of 1984. After this, New Zealanders were also invited and the brigade became known as the Southern Cross Brigade, or Brigada Cruz del Sur in Spanish. For 37 years straight, the Southern Cross Brigade engaged travellers in this important cultural exchange before an enforced break due to COVID-19. The 2023-24 Brigade included the 40th anniversary of the January 1984 trip.
The Southern Cross Brigade is attended by Australians and New Zealanders of all ages and backgrounds. Age is no barrier, as we have had brigadistas as young as 6 and as old as 88!
Many countries around the world have friendship societies that run similar brigades. Every year, brigadistas visit Cuba from Canada, the US, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the UK, South Korea, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, and other South American nations. These brigades aim to encourage international solidarity with Cuba and to give non-Cubans a personal connection to the Cuban Revolution.
What we do
The 40th Southern Cross Brigade will run from the 4th through 22nd of January 2025 (inclusive). The Southern Cross Brigade offers Australian and New Zealand friends of Cuba the opportunity to learn more about the island nation's unique, yet often misunderstood, political history and to participate in Cuba’s rich cultural heritage.
Brigadistas (brigade participants) will also meet with a range of Cubans who work for national organisations, such as the unions and the Women’s Federation, as well as people working in government and private enterprise, including economists and foreign affairs experts. Participants will also experience agricultural life, spending time alongside Cuban farmers doing agricultural activities such as fruit picking, pruning or planting.
International flights, visas and health insurance are not included in the cost sought by the Southern Cross Brigade and will need to be arranged separately.
Brigadistas (brigade participants) will also meet with a range of Cubans who work for national organisations, such as the unions and the Women’s Federation, as well as people working in government and private enterprise, including economists and foreign affairs experts. Participants will also experience agricultural life, spending time alongside Cuban farmers doing agricultural activities such as fruit picking, pruning or planting.
International flights, visas and health insurance are not included in the cost sought by the Southern Cross Brigade and will need to be arranged separately.
