INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY BRIGADE 65 YEARS OF LOVE FOR CUBA
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) and its travel agency, Amistur Cuba S.A., invite you to participate in the INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY BRIGADE 65 YEARS OF LOVE FOR CUBA, on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the creation of ICAP and the 67th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, as part of the "International Marathon of Love for Cuba."
The brigade will take place between December 21st, 2025, and January 3rd, 2026, and participants will have the special opportunity to participate in the Day of Activities and the Main Event held in honor of the creation of ICAP, a symbol of solidarity and friendship. Their staying in our country will also allow them to get a wider understanding of the current Cuban reality and the transformations taking place despite the tightening of the blockade.
The program of activities will take place in Havana and Artemisa provinces, with the entire staying at the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp (CIJAM), located in the municipality of Caimito, 45 kms from Havana. The program includes volunteer work as an economic and solidarity contribution; exchanges with the community and representatives of various political and grassroots organizations; and visits to sites of economic, cultural, social, and historical interest, as part of the work of the Cuban Revolution and Fidel's legacy.
Founded in 1972, Cijam is an institution that fosters exchange, fellowship and friendly coexistence, while respecting the rules of conduct and social discipline. The cost of the stay is 510.00 euros or US dollars, which includes accommodation in shared rooms, meals and transportation to all program’s activities, including airport transfers.
Payment will be made via bank transfer or an online payment gateway, which can be used from everywhere in the world and is completely secure. Travelers must have medical insurance that covers Cuba. Brigadiers arriving at Cijam before December 21st must pay an additional nightly supplement, which includes accommodations and meals.
Registration will be open until October 10th, 2025, with complete information including your personal details and arrival and departure itinerary from Cuba (date, time, airline, and flight number). Brigade members who are in Havana before the starting of the Brigade will also be guaranteed transportation to Cijam.
To confirm your participation, please send us the information to the following email address: Icap65amorxcuba@gmail.com director.dao@icap.cu asia.norte@icap.cu director.europa@icap.cu
International Solidarity Brigade 65 Years of Love for Cuba: a solidarity invitation for friendship, peace, and brotherhood among peoples on the 65th anniversary of the creation of ICAP and the 67th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution.
CUBAN INSTITUTE OF FRIENDSHIP WITH THE PEOPLES INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY BRIGADE 65 YEARS OF LOVE FOR CUBA
PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES
Saturday December 20, 2025
Arrival of brigade members. (Transfer from the airport to Cijam)
Sunday December 21, 2025
Arrival of brigade members. (Transfer from the airport to Cijam).
15:00 Departure for the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp (CIJAM) for the brigade members who arrived earlier. Pick-up point: Friendship House (Paseo Street between 17th and 19th, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución municipality, Havana).
Accommodation and dinner.
Monday December 22, 2025 “64th Anniversary of the Literacy Campaign.” Educators' Day
06:45 Wake up
07:00 Breakfast
09:30 Official opening ceremony at the Caimito School as a tribute by the Brigade to all Cuban educators and to the internationalist work of the Revolution.
11:00 General information on the Brigade program. Organizational meeting by country with representatives from Icap's political divisions.
12:30 Lunch
15:00 Conference on: "The Challenges of the Cuban Economy and New Strategies to Defend Socialism in the Face of the Blockade." Speaker: CIEM Specialist
20:00 Dinner and Cuban Welcome Night.
Tuesday December 23, 2025
05:45 Wake up
06:00 Breakfast
07:00 Departure for productive work. (1)
12:30 Lunch
15:00 Conference on "Relations between Cuba and the United States, and strategies regarding the current U.S. administration." Speaker: Specialist from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex).
18:30 Dinner
20:00 Free evening with recorded music.
- Optional Amistur (for those who wish to go to the city). PROPOSAL:
Enjoy the Cannon Shot Ceremony and dinner
19:00 Departure to Havana to enjoy the Cannon Shot Ceremony and dinner at a local restaurant.
21:30 Return to Cijam.
Wednesday December 24, 2025
05:45 Wake up
06:00 Breakfast
07:00 Departure to productive work. (2) in the municipalities of San Antonio de los Baños and Bauta.
08.00 Productive work carried out by groups in:
- Agricultural areas of the Quisicuaba Project, San Antonio de los Baños municipality.
- Ben Tré Community, Bauta municipality, in honor of the "Year of Friendship between Cuba and Vietnam" and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Casita Vietnamita by the Moncada Heroine, Dr. Melba Hernández.
12.00 Return to Cijam
12:30 Lunch
14:30 Voluntary cleaning and beautification day in areas of the Camp in. (3)
17:00 Conclusion of the sanitation day
20:00 Special dinner with recorded music and cultural activities organized by the brigade members.
Thursday December 25, 2025
06:00 Breakfast
07:00 Free day for brigade members who wish to remain at the Camp.
19:00 Dinner
20.30 Free night. Dance with recorded music.
- Amistur Options (for those brigade members who wish to participate). PROPOSALS:
Excursion to Viñales
07:30 Departure to Pinar del Río with a brief stay at the Parador Las Barrigonas.
10:30 Visit to a farm where tobacco is grown
11:30 Visit to the Mirador of the Los Jazmines hotel.
Visit to the Indian Cave, boat ride inside the cave
13:30 Lunch at the Mural of Prehistory, with time for photos and recreation in the place
16:00 Return to Cijam.
Excursion to Las Terrazas
08:00 Departure to the town of Las Terrazas.
09:00 Community walk, with the opportunity to interact with local residents. This sustainable rural tourism community offers a unique setting that allows you to connect with nature. It is part of the Sierra del Rosario, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
13:30 Enjoy traditional Cuban food family-style at a restaurant in the community. Visit the San Juan River to enjoy nature and its waters.
16:00 Return to Cijam.
Day trip to the Eastern beaches
08:30 Departure to the beaches in the east of the city.
10:00 A day of enjoyment on the beach at an all-inclusive hotel. Lunch at the hotel and open bar (3-star hotel).
16:00 Return to Cijam.
Show at the Tropicana Cabaret
18:30 Departure from Cijam.
Enjoy the Tropicana Cabaret show. (Show + Food Package including: 1 welcome cocktail, 1/4 bottle of Havana Club Añejo Especial Rum, 1 pickle, 1 snack, dinner). Show intended for those 18+. Dress code: formal.
12:00 Return to Cijam.
Friday December 26, 2025
05:45 Wake up
06:00 Breakfast
07:30 Departure for the planned activities (in groups):
- Visit to the Memorial of the Denunciation.
- Visit to the José Martí Memorial.
12:30 Lunch (in the city)
15:30 Visit to the Casa de las Américas. Meeting with Cuban personalities and intellectuals.
Upon conclusion, return to Cijam.
19:00 Dinner.
20:30 Artistic-literary evening in tribute to Fidel: readings of poems, anecdotes, and songs about Fidel's legacy and the Cuban Revolution in the countries represented in the Brigade.
Saturday December 27, 2025
05:30 Wake up
06:00 Breakfast.
07:30 Departure to the Fidel Castro Center
09:00 Participation in several activities devoted to commemorate the centennial of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro’s birth
12:30 Lunch in city restaurants (for groups).
15:00 AFTERNOON for FRIENDSHIP. Cuba Pavilion, headquarters of the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS).
15.30 - Cancellation of the commemorative stamp for the 65th anniversary of the creation of Icap.
- Book presentation.
- Opening of a photography exhibition on Icap, solidarity, and the Cuban Revolution.
- Cultural space featuring young artists and intellectuals from the AHS.
19:00 Return to Cijam.
20:30 Dinner.
Solidarity night
- Optional Amistur (for those who wish to stay in the city). PROPOSAL:
Enjoy of the Cannon Shot Ceremony and Dinner
19:00 Departure to Old Havana to enjoy the Cannon Shot Ceremony and dinner at a local restaurant.
21:30 Return to Cijam.
Sunday December 28, 2025
05:30 Wake up
05:45 Breakfast.
06:45 Departure for the performance of Voluntary Work. (4)
08:00 SPECIAL VOLUNTEER WORK FOR LOVE MARATHON. It will also be held in all provinces, coordinated by the Icap Delegations and the Young Communist League.
12:00 Return to Cijam
12:30 Lunch.
16:00 Free afternoon
19:00 Dinner.
Free evening with recorded music.
Monday December 29, 2025
05:45 Wake up
06:00 Breakfast
07:30 Departure to Havana (Convention Palace).
10:00 MAIN EVENT FOR THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ICAP FOUNDATION.
- Recognition of founders, outstanding employees, and those who have been with ICAP for more than 15 years.
- Recognition of personalities and friends from ICAP.
- Recognition of institutions, organizations, and agencies with close ties to ICAP.
14:00 Lunch.
15:30 Cultural space for socializing to mark the 65th anniversary of the creation of Icap.
18:30 Return to Cijam.
19:00 Dinner. Free evening / recorded music.
Tuedsay December 30, 2025 “65th Anniversary of the Creation of Icap”
05:45 Wake up
06:00 Breakfast
07:00 Departure to Playa Girón, Matanzas province.
10:00 Visit to the Museum at Playa Girón and other sites of interest.
12.30 Lunch at Punta Perdíz
14:00 Visit to the community cultural project “Korimakao”.
17:00 Return to Cijam.
19:00 Dinner. Free evening. Recorded music.
Wednesday December 31, 2025
05:30 Wake up (for those participating in the Marathon).
05:45 Breakfast.
06:30 Transfer to Guayabal, the starting point of the Marathon.
07:00 SPORTS MARATHON for FRIENDSHIP (Guayabal-Cijam).
- Presentation of awards to the winners according to their categories, and to all participants.
Exchange with sports celebrities about the development of sports in Cuba.
12.00 Lunch.
Tarde Free sports games.
Preparing areas for the New Year's Eve dinner and the arrival of the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution.
21:00 Collective dinner awaiting the 67th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution and the new year 2026. Music and dancing until dawn.
Thursday January 1st, 2026 “67th Anniversary of the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution”
06:00 Wake up
06:00 Breakfast
08:30 Departure for Havana. Guided city tour, including lunch. (Program organized by Amistur Agency).
Free time in the city for those who do not wish to join the tour. Lunch (organized by Amistur Agency).
15:45 Gathering of all the brigade members in Central Park for the transfer to the Theater.
16:00 Participation in the special performance of the Cuban National Ballet dedicated to the triumph of the Cuban Revolution and the 65th anniversary of the creation of the Icap (National Institute of Culture and Sports). Alicia Alonso Hall, García Lorca Theater (Old Havana).
After the ballet performance, return to the Cijam
Dinner. Free night.
Music and dancing to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution.
Friday January 2nd, 2026
05:45 Wake up
06:00 Breakfast
07:30 Departure to Havana.
08:00 Volunteer Work Day at the “La Bugambilia” Ecological Project (5).
11:30 Summary of the final results of the total contribution during the volunteer work days.
12:30 Lunch.
AFTERNOON: Preparations for the Festival of Nations.
18:00 BRIGADE CLOSING CEREMONY.
- Reading of the Final Declaration.
- Closing cultural activity for the Brigade: FESTIVAL OF NATIONS with presentations of traditional culinary and cultural elements from the countries represented by the brigade members.
Saturday January 3rd, 2026
07:00 Breakfast
10:00 Transfer to Havana (ICAP) for the brigade members who will remain in Cuba.
Departure of the Cuban delegation as appropriate.
All day: Transfer of brigade members to the airport according to their flight schedules.
- Amistur Options (for those staying at Cijam, according to their return itineraries on Saturday, January 3 and Sunday, January 4). PROPOSAL:
Day trip to Varadero
07:30 Departure to Varadero (Matanzas) with a brief stop at the Bacunayagua Viewpoint.
10:30 A day of enjoyment on Varadero beach at an all-inclusive hotel.
Lunch at the hotel and open bar (3- or 4-star hotel).
17:00 Return to Cijam.
Day trip to the Eastern beaches
08:30 Departure to the beaches in the east of the city.
10:00 A day of enjoyment at the beach at an all-inclusive hotel. Lunch at the hotel and open bar (3-star hotel).
16:00 Return to Cijam.
Sunday January 4, 2026
07:00 Wake up.
All Day: Transfer of brigade members to the airport as scheduled.
CUBAN INSTITUTE OF FRIENDSHIP WITH THE PEOPLES
(EmbaCubaSerbia)
