CAIF Statement on the Earthquakes – 17.02.23
CAIF, the Coventry Association for International Friendship, expresses its sincere condolences to the people of Türkiye and Syria whose lives have been directly affected by the devastating earthquakes which have recently struck their countries.
We mourn for those who have lost their lives and share in the grief of their families, friends and loved ones. We also empathise with those who have suffered the loss of their homes and personal belongings and who are now displaced from their former lives into freezing winter conditions in which they are desperately in need of blankets, emergency shelter, food and clean water.
Individual members of CAIF have made their own financial contribution to relief efforts and now CAIF as an organization is making a donation from its own funds.
CAIF’s aim is to promote international friendship and understanding and, as our membership includes a representative of Mosul in Iraq, which is closely adjacent to this new zone of destruction, we have been reminded yet again that the Middle East seems never to be free from conflict and disaster in one form or another and that the populations of these countries need our help, support and assistance as much as other conflict zones in the world.
Man-made suffering, as has been caused this past year in Ukraine, is intolerable in itself but a natural disaster such as this one in Türkiye and Syria in which thousands of people have had their lives destroyed is an unbearable imposition.
Chair: Councillor Ram Lakha, OBE
Secretary: Linda Hirons
C.A.I.F. Update, March 2021
Much has happened since CAIF attended the opening of the “Stalingrad in British History” exhibition at the Russia Culture House in London, on Friday 31 January 2020.
One might say that time seems like another age, BC (Before Coronavirus). Since that time we have experienced 3 periods of lockdown – isn’t it remarkable how our vocabulary has developed during the past 12 months as we have all become used to new terminology and behavioural categorisations – and we remain in a process of transition – from the way we used to live before COVID-19 started to wreak social, political and economic havoc across the world – towards an unknown and uncertain future.
C.A.I.F. came into being as an organization out of Coventry’s original association of international friendship, the C.C.I.U., the Coventry Committee for International Understanding, which was created when the development of thermonuclear weapons and their deployment by the two superpowers of the time – the U.S.A. and the Soviet Union – threatened to destroy human life on our planet. In 2020 we became engaged in a new “war”, with an invisible, biological enemy, one which does not discriminate on grounds of rank, wealth, status or celebrity and which has spared no one.
Between the beginning of February and 12 March 2020 C.A.I.F. continued to develop its network of contacts within the city, many of which were related to the UK City of Culture 2021, towards which many people were looking forward with excitement and anticipation, and we were making plans for how the Association would participate.
Early in February members attended a public conversation which took place in Coventry Cathedral between the author, Sinclair McKay, and the TV presenter, Dan Snow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Dresden bombing raids carried out by Allied air forces.
Mr. McKay had just released a new book, “The Fire and the Darkness”, in which he discusses one of the most devastating bombing campaigns of WWII and the lingering effects it has had on the city of Dresden.
Preparations were also proceeding for the conference to be held in Coventry in April entitled “International Conference on Protecting & Rebuilding the Urban Centres in Post ISIS Middle East/The City of Mosul as an Example”. A number of eminent specialists on the subject had been invited who would be coming from as far afield as Spain, Canada, Tunisia, Doha, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The principal organizer, the Mosul Foundation, and its partner, C.A.I.F., were particularly appreciative of the contribution that was being made by Richard Dickson, the Development Manager of the RISING Global Peace Forum at Coventry University.
Also planned for late April was the staging of the “Stalingrad in British History” exhibition in Coventry the opening of which would coincide with a weekend of roundtables under the auspices of the Coventry Twin & Sister Cities Forum 2020. These discussions would focus on the twinning link between Coventry and Volgograd, projects between the Twin & Sister cities of the United Kingdom and Russia (with a delegation from Volgograd and Russian speaking people from various regions of the UK), and an International Day of Twin Cities.
C.A.I.F. representatives were pleased to hold meetings with Michael Hammond from the Centre for Education Studies at University of Warwick, who was involved in a research project on twinning and with two of the producers for City of Culture 2021, Molly Adkins and Ellen Booth, in which discussions took place on potential areas of collaboration.
In February 2020 C.A.I.F. had also been pleased to welcome Marc Lalonde and his students from the Technical University Dresden who came to Coventry to perform a play, “Train of Life”, in the Studio Theatre at King Henry VIII School, Coventry.
Thus, many activities were taking place, but as the month of March unfolded it was becoming increasingly clear that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, which had already taken hold in China and South East Asia, was beginning to appear significantly in Europe, notably in Northern Italy.
C.A.I.F. representatives decided not to attend the Coventry Film Roundtable hosted by Film Hub Midlands and Coventry 2021 at The Box, FarGo Village, on the grounds that large gatherings were potential arenas for the transmission of the virus, and a decision was taken to cancel the forthcoming C.A.I.F. monthly meeting scheduled to take place on 19 March 2020.
It had become apparent that the MF/C.A.I.F./RGPForum Conference could not take place as intended as various delegates from across the world indicated that they would be unable to attend as the coronavirus began to affect travelling arrangements, and a decision was taken for postponement. Similarly the “Stalingrad in British History” exhibition would not be transferred from its previous venue in St. Albans up to Coventry and the weekend of roundtables was also postponed to an unknown date sometime in the future.
Visits to Kiel and Dresden by C.A.I.F. representatives, planned for June 2020, and the rendezvous planned to take place in Brussels in September between C.A.I.F. and friends from Kiel, as well as visits to Coventry by friends from Kiel and Dresden had to be indefinitely postponed.
Henceforward, C.A.I.F. members would be unable to meet as usual and all the customary proceedings of the Association were moved into a digital dimension and remote forms of communication.
In order to maintain some semblance of business – one can hardly describe this as normality – and in order to address the issue of how C.A.I.F. could maintain communication amongst the membership and friends and fellow associations abroad during the ensuing period of social distancing and isolation, it was decided to produce a newsletter to appear at regular intervals.
All members were invited to support this initiative and to make contributions and, over a period of a few months, a number of articles, comments and observations were received and included. The resultant news bulletin ‘C.A.I.F. in the Time of Coronavirus’ was regularly transmitted in electronic form – sometimes several per day – to members and to friends in Europe and, between 20 March and 27 June, 175 individual bulletins were published.
The items included ranged from how people had been spending their time, how they had been coping with the lockdown, how they had been responding to news reaching them from within the UK or from outside and comments, thoughts, anecdotes and experiences to do with the Coronavirus pandemic.
Eventually, the process of production ran out of steam – although between 27 June – 8 October a new newsletter ‘C.A.I.F in the New Normal’ was produced in the form of another 14 bulletins
From late July and mid-August 2020, the focus of C.A.I.F.’s attention switched to developing links with Volgograd and with Dresden, each one in pursuit of our mission to fulfill the cause of international friendship.
In the case of Volgograd the friendship link took the form of online meetings using the Zoom platform to discuss making an Appeal to the United Nations based on the historic twinning link – established in 1944 – between Coventry and Stalingrad.
At the first online meeting held on 26 June 2020 C.A.I.F submitted this statement in supporting this initiative :-
“Peace in the world depends upon the recognition of mutual interests, of shared goals for the development of a sustainable world for the living and for future generations to come.
Understanding historical events and processes in the development of civilisation on this, our Earth, depends on having access to the true unfolding of events. We know that the representation and understanding of history can be distorted by the bias of the historian – political, cultural or otherwise – or, worse, by the interpretations made in retrospect by nations to serve their interests in perpetuating the myths of victory or to explain away the pain and consequences of defeat.
C.A.I.F. subscribes to the view that Peace can only prevail where there is forgiveness and that this can only happen where there is contrition and acceptance of wrongdoing, an acceptance that unconscionable behaviour has taken place, where atrocities against humanity have been perpetrated, even by both sides in a conflict. There is also a need for some form of restorative recompense and by a commitment to the renewal of trust, respect and friendship.
If we wish to remember our shared history in the furtherance of the spirit of solidarity let it be done without recourse to distorting the facts of that history and commit ourselves to the free exchange of ideas and constructive criticisms”.
Further meetings were held in September 2020 following which C.A.I.F. took the initiative of drafting a wording for the Appeal which, after considerable discussion and revision, in particular in response to some suggestions made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Russia, was adopted as the final version.
It was anticipated that the Appeal to the United Nations would be made in person but, owing to the pandemic it was then proposed that it would be submitted on UN75 Day, 24 October 2020 – the 75th anniversary of the day on which the U.N. Charter entered into force in 1945 – a day on which there would be a gathering together of people’s opinions about how the U.N. should develop in the future.
To carry out this idea it was proposed that a video recording of the Appeal would be made in which the text would be read by various people from Coventry and Volgograd who each would deliver a specific section. Roze Navab, a 3 Year Media student at Coventry University, was asked to carry out the task of making the video which she did to great effect.
Of course, no one can be certain about how this pandemic is going to impact on our lives and the social, economic and political dislocations that have already occurred – with the potential for more and worse to come – will undoubtedly present radical challenges to the ways in which we will come together, especially with regard to international travel, across borders. Attitudes towards international friendship and collaboration may be subjected to some major questioning if not opposition.
This will be in a Post-Viral Future (AC/After Coronavirus). To get there safely and with our values still in place and to understand the new territory that we will be occupying will require a resetting of the Twinning Clock and the Twinning Compass and a complete re-think by the membership and our colleagues abroad of what we want to achieve and the means by which we will intend and be able to do that.
Coventry Association For International Friendship “Stalingrad In British History” Exhibition Opening
Venue: Russia Culture House in London, 1st Floor, 37, Kensington High Street, London
Friday 31 January 2020
We are here this evening united by our shared concern to preserve the memory of the sacrifice made by the people of Russia and Great Britain during World War II.
The Coventry Association for International Friendship, of which I am the Secretary, aims to continue the mission – begun in our city by Provost Richard Howard in 1940 – of spreading the idea of peace and reconciliation and of friendship between people.
Representing the people of Coventry, we are here to celebrate the co-operation and solidarity which was started in 1943 and which is on-going to this day between the people of Coventry and the citizens of Volgograd.
Conflict and the destruction – in any time, in any place – visits great damage on, not only the physical environment of a city, but, most importantly, on the civilian population and on the civic society as a whole. The restoration of a stable and peaceful society can take a long time and can only be achieved with the moral support of our friends.
In 1943, a group of women from our city of Coventry, led by Alderman Emily Smith, made remarkable efforts to send aid to Stalingrad, as people gave sixpence each to have their names entered into a book of condolence and support. 900 women signed their names and these were embroidered into a tablecloth which was then sent to the city with the message: “Little help is better than big sympathy”. Factory workers also collected money and this was sent to Stalingrad to buy much-needed medical supplies and equipment for hospitals. In the book of condolence and support the women wrote – “We, the women of Coventry, greet you, the women of Stalingrad, and with you the brave women of the entire Soviet Union, in your
splendid resistance to our common enemy, Hitler Fascism.
Coventry stands as a symbol to the world of the ruthlessness and murderous brutality with which the Nazis wage their war against the civilian population of both our countries. Hitler’s savage bombers have not only claimed scores of innocent human victims, but have destroyed the most priceless and lovely architectural and cultural treasures of Coventry. So, from this city, scarred and ravaged by the arch-enemy of civilization, our hearts go out to you, who now face slaughter and suffering even more fearful … … we undertake to do everything in our power to remove all hindrances to maximum production, so that the brave soldiers, sailors and airmen of both of our countries will not lack arms in this titanic struggle. Once more we greet you, women of Stalingrad, salute your undefeatable courage and inspiring sacrifice, and pledge ourselves to play our part to the full until our common victory is won”.
Coventry was not the only place in Great Britain which raised raise aid and donations for ruined city of Stalingrad, as you can see from this exhibition, and we share in this history between our two countries acknowledging the struggle that Russia, in the form of the Soviet Union, and the UK endured together against Fascism.
We hope to continue to assist in preserving this history of British-Russian friendship and co-operation and to help to promote the development of friendly contacts between the civil societies of our two countries.
CAIF Annual Report 2018 -2019
May
The Annual General Meeting took place on May 17 in the Council House. Our guest of honour, this year, was Ruth Longoni, who spoke of her work with the Lord Mayor’s Peace Committee.
June
We took part in our second Community Information Fair organised by Positive Images.
CAIF Friendship Prize 2017-2018. We announced an annual prize for young people in September 2017. The Friendship prize was offered to harness the energy, creativity and initiative of Coventry’s children, youth and young adults in promoting a culture of international friendship, understanding and peace and also aims to inspire others to learn from young people and to think about how each of us can make a difference in the world. The theme of the competition was the “Culture of International Friendship, Understanding and Peace”. Entries were invited to address this subject and to show how to involve young people in activities that bring together people of different nationalities, races and cultures, so as to promote international friendship.
The prize was open to anyone up to 25 years old (as of 31 August 2017) in one of three age categories:- Child (aged up to 14), Youth (aged 15 – 18) and Young Adult (aged 19 – 25). Entrants were invited to submit an entry in the form of an essay of between 500-1000 words, a poem, a photographic essay, a moving image or a musical composition.
Prize Awards will be made in each category –
1st Prize: Certificate, prize of £250
2nd Prize: Certificate, prize of £150
3rd Prize: Certificate, prize of £100
On Monday 11 June 2018, the Lord Mayor, Councillor John Blundell presented certificates and cash prizes to students and pupils from Coventry University, Bablake School and King Henry V111 School.
Several members of CAIF travelled to Bath to meet up with long time friends from Kiel,who are spending a few days in Bath and Bristol. Four of the Kielers came to Coventry to meet old friends Allan Trickett and John Moore.
August
Eight members of CAIF went on a week long visit to our friendship town of Meschede in Sauerland, Germany.
Along with a group of our Breton friends, we celebrated the Meschede group’s 50 years of International Friendship. We visited monasteries, museums and factories and enjoyed several social occasions with plenty of food and good German beer. A wonderful week that strengthened our links with both Meschede and Vannes.
October
We supported, along with the Queen’s Road Baptist Church, the Coventry German Circle, who hosted 12 visitors from our twin city of Dresden from 6-10 October. CAIF members helped to host visitors and joined them on their tours including a tour of The Council House, St Mary’s Guildhall and the Cathedral.
December
Senza Nome, along with their Musical Director and CAIF member, Joanna Kunda and the Nightingales Choir, set up by Pat Trickett over 30 years ago, held a concert in St Andrews Church, Eastern Green as a wonderful tribute to the memory of Pat.
19 CAIF members enjoyed Christmas meal at The Roseycombe Pub in Binley Woods.
January
Members of CAIF and The Coventry Rotary Club along with Coventry City Councillors, notably Councillor John Mutton, enjoyed a presentation by Olga Alyona Lawson to celebrate the 75 Years of twinning between Volgograd and Coventry. A video link was briefly established between The Youth International Friendship Club and teachers from Gymnasium No 5 in Volgograd and our group that morning.
Senza Nome (affiliated to CAIF) celebrated their 10 Anniversary with a wonderful concert at the Polish Church and a Celebration at Coventry Connexion attended by CAIF members and the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.
February
It was the 74th Anniversary of the bombing of Dresden and this year is the 60th Anniversary of the twinning of Coventry with Dresden. Two of our Artist friends, John Yeadon and Lisa Gunn opened their exhibition in Dresden on 12 February. “Condition humaine” presented works by artists from Coventry and Dresden as part of the Coventry- Dresden Arts Exchange. Its themes were on human vulnerability, struggle and resilience – qualities Coventry and Dresden share. The Lord Mayors of both cities were present and gave addresses. We are proud to have been supported the artist Lisa Gunn, who is disabled, with a donation of £200 to help with her overland travel to Dresden as part of the Coventry-Dresden Arts Exchange. This exhibition will be shown in Coventry in June 2019. There will also be a concert with the Coventry Spires Choir and on a Choir from Dresden (Neuer Chor) on June 1 .
CAIF members attended an Islamic Exhibition and seminar on the Indian Army’s contribution in The First World War in Binley Woods Village Hall. It was organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association
March
CAIF members attended a concert celebrating International Women’s Day in St Mary’s Hall. There were inspiring speeches by Women’s Rights Activist, Mattie Heaven and Businesswoman, Fleur Sexton. Followed by beautiful classical Persian music from the Soveida Ensemble.
CAIF Friendship Prize 2018-2019
The Lord Mayor, Councillor John Blundell, presented Certificates and cash awards to this year’s prizewinners. This year’s theme was “My Peace Hero” and entries included tributes to parents, friends and Alan Turing. Members of CAIF attended along with Councillor Ram Lakha and proud parents and families.
14 CAIF members enjoyed a meal at The Roseycombe Pub and were interviewed on film for a short Video to be sent to our friends in Dresden for Europeday on May 9.
Action Plan And Targets Achieved
The Friendship Prize has given us a reason to raise our profile with a younger audience with the result of some active involvement.
The visitors from Dresden have strengthened our links both with them and the other existing links in Coventry. The Coventry German Circle, The Coventry-Dresden Arts Exchange, The Queen’s Road Baptist Church.
We have made interesting links with the Mosul Foundation and the Ahmyidda Elders.
Our link with Positive Images has continued to raise both our awareness and our knowledge of other like-minded groups.
We are pleased to have attracted 6 new members this year and of varying cultural backgrounds.
Aims For 2019
• A review of our Action Plan and set targets for the future year.
• We have booked a stall for the Community Information Fair on July 3.
• In June 9 CAIF members are to meet a group from Kiel, led by Magda, in Hamburg, then Leipzig and then Kiel..
• 18 visitors from Vannes are coming to London and Coventry from12-19 August. 4 members will meet them inLondon and accommodation has been arranged in an LSE Hall of Residence. They will stay with hosts in Coventry from 14-19 August.
• During the year, we will attend events that commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the twinning between Volgograd and Coventry. Starting with the The Twin Cities Conference at The Russian Cultural Centre in London on April 26th.
• In October a dance group from Volgograd will perform in the Albany Theatre. We have been asked to approach schools and dance groups in Coventry with a view to perform on that date and for future exchanges.Linda has put them in contact with Cardinal Newman School and the Sayhadri Colours of India group.
• Following a request from Rhys Davies of Cardinal Newman School, we have given him contact details of individuals or organisations who may help him to forge pupil links with some of our twin cities.
Coventry Association for International Friendship 