Representações de Cuba em setores da esquerda brasileira, a partir da experiência das “Brigadas Solidárias”: vínculos, compromissos e solidariedade

Abstract

This thesis explores representations of Cuba within the Brazilian left, analyzing how experiences with the "Solidarity Brigades"—groups of activists and sympathizers who travel to Cuba for ideological tourism and solidarity support—shape and strengthen political identities between Brazilians and the Cuban revolutionary ideal. The research examines the construction of solidarity among brigade participants and the Cuban revolutionary project, highlighting how these experiences foster emotional bonds and reinforce an image of resistance and authenticity surrounding Cuba. The methodology includes participant observation and qualitative interviews, aiming to capture the motivations, expectations, and identity transformations of those involved. Grounded in theoretical frameworks from Anthropology and Sociology, the thesis analyzes militant tourism as a practice that shapes political identities, emphasizing the role of ritual practices, cultural engagement, and shared memory in fortifying leftist ideals within the Brazilian context.