Dear friends:
The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples and its Travel Agency Amistur Cuba S.A call friends of Cuba to be part of the 52nd edition of the José Marti Brigade of Voluntary Work and Solidarity with Cuba. The program is devoted to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the foundation of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples. This edition, as usual, will include visits to places of historical, economic, cultural and social interest, exchanges on current national issues and meetings with representatives of organizations of the Cuban society and people in general, among other activities of interest.
Throughout exchanges and visits to different places, brigade members will be able to witness the effects of the tightening of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the U.S.A government on Cuban people’s everyday life and how, despite the difficulties faced, we work to preserve the social achievements that make us proud and at the same time, more committed to continue defending the Cuban Revolution.
The program of activities will be carried out from July 15th to 30th, 2025 in Artemisa, Sancti Spíritus, Villa Clara and Havana provinces; 15 nights, 11 out of them in the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp (CIJAM), located in the municipality of Caimito, 45 kms from Havana and 4 nights in Sancti Spíritus. The cost of the stay will be 730.00 Euros per person if the total number of participants is less than 50 people. If the total number of participants exceeds 50 people, the price of the program will be 660.00 Euros per person. This includes accommodation in shared rooms at CIJAM, double or triple rooms at the hotel, full board, transfer in-out from the airport and transportation to all the activities included in the program.
Participants will be informed of the exact amount to be paid before doing the corresponding payment. Optional activities are not included in the package’s price and will have an additional cost. Payment can be made by bank transfer, online payment gateway or by Visa or MasterCard, whenever they are not issued by U.S.A banks. It is an essential condition to travel with medical insurance that covers any medical issue in Cuba. Brigade members who arrive CIJAM before July 15th, 2025, and go directly to the camp, must pay an additional supplement of 15.00 Euros per night for accommodation and board.
Registration will be open for those interested to take part in until June 22nd, 2025. To confirm your participation, please send the following information: full name, passport number, date of birth, profession, languages spoken, country of origin, organization you represent, food restrictions if any, date, time and flight number of arrival in Cuba, as well as date, time and flight number of departure from Cuba to the following e-mail addresses: director.europa@icap.cu and amiventas@amistur.cu
Participants who are in Havana before the starting of the brigade will be guaranteed transportation to CIJAM, which will depart from ICAP headquarters on Tuesday, July 15th, 2025, at 17:00 hours.
We hope to have you among members of the 52nd edition of the José Marti European Brigade of Voluntary Work and Solidarity with Cuba, where friendship and solidarity between the Cuban and European peoples will reign, allowing us to move forward in the construction of a better future, of peace and brotherhood.
Tuesday 15/07/25. Havana - Artemisa /CIJAM
During the day: Arrival of the brigade members to the airport. Transfer to the camp.
17:00 Departure from ICAP Headquarters to CIJAM, Caimito.
19:00 Dinner at CIJAM
Wednesday 16/07/25. Artemisa /CIJAM
07:00 Wake up and breakfast
09:30 Floral offering at the monument to José Martí at CIJAM, planting of a tree of friendship in the Bosque Martiano at CIJAM, official welcoming activity at the CIJAM theater, general information meeting on the program of activities, presentation of the Cuban delegation and information on the functioning of CIJAM.
12:00 Lunch
14:30 Lecture: Updating on the political, economic and social situation in Cuba, impact of the USA economic blockade, challenges and projections for economic development.
19:00 Cuban night and cultural activity.
Thursday 17/07/25. Artemisa /CIJAM
07:00 Wake up and breakfast
07:30 Morning brief news
08:30 Visit to the Bus Assembling Enterprise Evelio Prieto Guillamas in Guanajay. Exchange with its directors and workers about the work of the center, the impact of the blockade and doing voluntary work.
12:00 Return to the camp
13:00 Lunch
14:30 Lecture: “Cuban political and electoral system. Democracy, popular participation and defense of human rights in Cuba”.
18:30 Dinner
20:00 Exchange among the brigade members on the political situation in the European region and the causes they defend.
Friday 18/07/25. Artemisa /CIJAM
06:30 Wake up and breakfast
07:00 Productive work in an Agricultural Production Cooperative in Caimito.
11:30 Return to camp
12:00 Lunch
14:30 Exchange on the manipulation and media campaigns against Cuba and the use of social networks for such purposes.
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Screening of a Cuban film or documentary.
Saturday 19/07/25. Artemisa - Havana - Artemisa/CIJAM
06:30 Wake up and breakfast
09:00 Visit to the Fidel Castro Ruz Center
11:00 Visit to the Memorial de la Denuncia (museum on history of terrorist actions against Cuba)
Panoramic tour along the city, stop at the Revolution Square.
12:00 Free lunch and free time in the city.
17:30 Return to CIJAM
19:30 Dinner and free evening
Sunday 20/07/25. Artemisa - Las Terrazas - Artemisa/CIJAM
07:00 Wake up and breakfast
09:00 Visit to the Ecological Station Sierra del Rosario. Ecovida - Center for research and environmental services in Las Terrazas. Explanation of Cuba's environmental policy. Excursion and enjoyment of the tourist complex Las Terrazas.
12:00 Lunch at local restaurant
14:00 Visit to the San Juan River. Time for swimming.
16:00 Return to camp
19:00 Dinner and free night at CIJAM.
Monday 21/07/25. Artemisa/CIJAM
07:00 Wake up and breakfast
08:30 Departure to Quisicuaba Assisted Living Camp in San Antonio de los Baños: project of assisting people with social disadvantage. Explanation of the center and productive work session.
12:00 Lunch at CIJAM.
14:00 Exchange with representatives of the Federation of Cuban Women and the Confederation of Cuban Workers.
17:00 Exchange with representatives of the embassies of Palestine and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic to learn about the struggle for independence of both peoples.
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Recorded music or dance classes.
Tuesday 07/22/25. Artemisa/CIJAM
07:00 Wake up and breakfast
08:00 Productive work in a social work in Caimito in salute to July 26th.
12:00 Return to camp
12:30 Lunch
14:30 Visit to the Memorial to the Martyrs of Artemisa.
Exchange with local authorities on the socioeconomic development of Artemisa province.
19:00 Explanation of the program for departing to Sancti Spiritus.
19:30 Dinner
Wednesday 23/07/25. Artemisa - Havana - S. Spíritus /Los Laureles
07:00 Wake up and breakfast
07:30 Departure for Sancti Spíritus, spending the morning in Havana.
09:00 Visit to the Center of Studies on Marti, lecture on José Martí in Fidel's thought and action.
12:00 Lunch at the Casa de la Amistad (House of Friendship).
13:00 Departure to Sancti Spíritus
18:30 Check in at Los Laureles Hotel
19:00 Dinner at the hotel
20:30 Welcome evening at the hotel. Cultural activity
Thursday 24/07/25. Sancti Spíritus /Los Laureles
07:00 Breakfast at the hotel
09:00 Welcome reception by the authorities of Sancti Spíritus at the Monument to the Martyrs of Sancti Spíritus. Floral wreath. Meeting with the local media representatives.
11:00 Visit to a Home for Children without Family Protection.
13:00 Return to hotel and lunch
15:00 Visit in 2 subgroups to:
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center Branch.
Honey Collection and Processing Center.
17:00 Tour along the Historic Center of the city.
19:00 Dinner at the hotel
20:30 Meeting with representatives of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba and the Hermanos Saiz Association of the province.
Friday 25/07/25. Sancti Spíritus - Yaguajay- S. Spíritus /Los Laureles
07:00 Breakfast at the hotel
08:30 Departure to Yaguajay municipality.
09:30 Visit to the “Camilo Cienfuegos” Monument Complex. Meeting with members of the Association of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution and the Union of Young Communists.
11:00 Visit to the General Municipal Hospital, former headquarters of the Batista dictatorship.
14:00 Lunch at the San José del Lago Hotel. Enjoying of the facilities and thermal baths.
17:00 Return to the hotel.
19:00 Dinner at the hotel
20:30 Cultural activity at the Casa de la Guayabera on the eve of July 26th.
Saturday 26/07/25. Sancti Spíritus - Trinidad- S. Spíritus /Los Laureles
07:00 Breakfast at the hotel
08:00 Departure to Trinidad
10:00 Reception and tour along the Historic Center in groups.
12:00 Departure to Ancon Peninsula, lunch and swim at the beach.
18:00 Return to hotel
19:30 Dinner at the hotel
20:30 Farewell activity at the hotel
Sunday 27/07/25. Sancti Spíritus - Santa Clara - Artemisa /CIJAM
07:00 Breakfast at the hotel
08:00 Departure to Villa Clara
10:00 Visit to the Armored Train and the Ernesto Che Guevara Monument Complex.
12:00 Lunch in Santa Clara
14:00 Departure to CIJAM
18:30 Arrival to CIJAM
19:00 Dinner and free night
Monday 28/07/25. Artemisa /CIJAM
06:30 Wake up and breakfast
07:30 Departure to the productive labors
11:30 Return to camp
12:00 Lunch
14:00 Final workshop on the importance of solidarity with Cuba and exchange of experiences among the brigade members, closing activity of the brigade.
16:00 Preparation of the European night
19:00 Dinner and European Night at CIJAM
Tuesday 07/29/25. Artemisa /CIJAM
07:00 Wake up and breakfast
08:30 Cleaning and sanitization day at CIJAM
11:00 Summary of productive days
12:00 Lunch
14:00 Projection of a Cuban film
18:30 Dinner
20:00 Visit to a Committee for the Defense of the Revolution and exchange with the local population in Caimito.
Wednesday 30/07/25. Artemisa /CIJAM
08:00 Breakfast
10:00 Transfer of brigade members to Havana and to the airport.