Ógra Shinn Féin builds solidarity links in Corsica

Ógra Shinn Féin recently (17 – 19 Feb) attended an International Festival in Corsica. The Scontri Internaziunali, was organised by youth movement Ghjuventú Indipendentista, and held in Corte, the historic Capital of the Corsican Nation.

The festival was organised to celebrate the diversity of culture, language and heritage in small occupied nations, and the various movement’s struggle for emancipation and freedom.

There was also delegations from Kanaky (South Pacific) and Kabilia (North Africa), who participated in various internal workshops and public debates on minority languages and globalisation.

Speaking following the delegation, Ógra activist Marcas O’Mhaoldomhaigh said,

“Ógra Shinn Féin supports the right to national self determination of small nations across the world, and believe that Ireland’s freedom struggle must be part of a global struggle and movement to create an empowered free people and egalitarian world. International festivals like the Scontri Internaziunali help build networks, understanding and solidarity between those who struggle for freedom across the world.”

“The main talk of the week was on globalisation and we talked about the need for more co-operation between nations, and that we are for a European Union, but a social Europe with a social Ireland playing a progressive role in it. Delegates and the Corsican public where particularly interested in the Irish defeat of the Lisbon Treaty, which we spoke at length on, highlighting Ógra and Sinn Féin’s role in ensuring a successful No! vote. We outlined our position in Europe and global co-operation to that of James Connolly’s ‘a free federation of free peoples’.”

“We also addressed the issue of minority languages and spoke about the current state of the Irish language across Ireland. We focussed on the campaign to get Acht na Gaeilge implemented in the north, and the benefits that this would bring in the promotion of the Irish language”

“The Scontri Internaziunali was very beneficial in extending our knowledge of other struggles and helping build up solidarity links and working relations with various movements. There is an awful lot of positives that can be gained from international solidarity actions like these, not least the sharing of ideas but also the reassurance that we are not alone in our struggle for Independence in Ireland.”

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