Translated "Avante!" article by Pedro Guerreiro, Member of the Secretariat of the CC and Responsible of the International Department
The Avante! Festival, as well as the International Seminar which preceded it, entitled “ The Portuguese Revolution, 40 years on: Europe and the world’s situation ”, were an important demonstration of anti-imperialist solidarity.
If the strong internationalist dimension which marked the Avante! Festival, is naturally due to the importance and diversification of the number of communist parties and other revolutionary and progressive forces, which were present, and participated with fraternal and solidary feelings – having included amid its International Space - , offering the contact among the peoples’ different realities and struggles, is also the result due to the curious participation within the multiple spaces, debates, and solidarity moments, which took place, including the great 25th April Stage rally.
Along these three days, solidarity with socialist Cuba was affirmed and celebrated together with the five Cuban patriots and René Gonzalez presence; with the people of Palestine and their liberating cause; with the Middle East peoples, victims of imperialist aggression; with the Bolivarian revolution and the revolutionary and progressive processes throughout Latin America; with the people of Ukraine, victim of the USA,EU and NATO’s interference, hand-in-hand with the oligarchs and fascist groups exploitation and oppression; with the people of Colombia towards a fair and negotiated resolution of the armed conflict, in order of achieve peace and democracy ; with the Western Sahara people, for their right to self-determination; and finally, the workers and peoples struggle towards their social and national emancipation.
The Avante! Festival, a solidary act of a merge of wills, was a vibrant demonstration which showed, throughout the world and in very different situations, workers and peoples resist and struggle for their rights, colonial domain liberation or oppression regimes, in order to achieve freedom, democracy, national sovereignty and independence defence, social progress, anti-monopolist and anti-imperialist deep changes, for socialism – resistance, struggles and emancipating processes, which objectively converge in the struggle against imperialism and are united in the same liberating ideal.
With fulfilled conscience of the current situation’s challenges and demands, imperialism aggressive escalade serious dangers being confirmed, and , although the existence of an unfavourable force correlation at world level, the anti-imperialist and peace forces are within reach , to stop imperialism’s most violent aggressions, imposing defeats and draw-backs, and achieve conquests towards progressive and revolutionary changes. For which , the strengthening of the communist parties and other revolutionary forces is determinant, along with the reinforcement of internationalist unity and cooperation and the latter with other progressive and anti-imperialist forces.
Capitalism is plunged in a deep crisis, a system marked by inherent and insoluble contradictions, brutal injustices and social wounds, incapable of answering peoples’ needs, interests and desires, being more and more exploiting, oppressor, aggressive and plunderer.
As highlighted during the International Seminar, celebrating the 40th April Revolution anniversary and designed throughout the Festival that hosted the celebration, such a reality emphasizes, more and more, current times and the communist project importance, the need for a new society, socialism and communism – which through diverse paths and stages, is the great perspective which faces workers and peoples.
