One of those amazing things happened around the edges of the mini festival, 3 Chileans who had been in prison together after the coup all came to the festival and refound their friendship! Sergio (Maria’s dad) Rafael and Reynaldo:
Here is Sergio’s account of their reunion, which he’s written for us and the website.
“Historic memory has a unique power to evoke deep and unexpected emotions. At the festival El Sueño Existe, dedicated this year to Chile 50 years of Solidarity and Resistance, I unexpectedly bumped into Reynaldo and Rafael, with our respective families and grandchildren – two compañeros who have endured Pinochet’s oppressive dictatorship. Our shared experience of being prisoners in Puchuncavi, Melinka concentration camp, seems to have forged an unbreakable bond. Now, decades later, in Machynlleth Wales, we witnessed the innocence and laughter of our grandchildren. It is extraordinary to sense how the strength of our collective history transcends generations. The younger ones connected as if they had known each other for years. It appears as if our historic memory of resilience and survival has become a bridge that spans the generational gap. In the midst of joy and laughter of our grandchildren, we witnessed the enduring strength of human connection and the healing capacity of shared historic memory.”
By Sergio Vasquez
Here they are at the festival together : l – r Reynaldo, Rafael, Sergio
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