When
Where
Why
Exhibition++ at NSW Parliament
Sydney joins other world events marking 50 Years of Memory, struggle and solidarity, since the coup d'état in Chile on 11 September 1973. We will remember the peaceful revolution proposed by our martyred President, Dr Salvador Allende and strengthen our collective memory of those events.
There will be an art exhibition by Chilean artists and artisans in the Jubilee Room, a historical photographic/poster exhibition in the foyer of the Theatrette, videos of Chileans in Australia who have survived torture and the loss of loved ones and those working in solidarity, a concert by talented musicians and singer/songwriters and in depth talks by intellectuals and specialists on Chilean/Latin American affairs.
About the speakers
Alejandro Salvador Fernandez Allende, journalist and grandson of President Salvador Allende. Alejandro is the son of Allende's much loved daughter, Tati Allende, who was fighting alongside Allende at the Moneda Palace on that horrendous 11th September 1973 whilst the military was destroying the Palace and countless lives.
Tati was 7 months' pregnant at the time and forced into exile. Alejandro was born in Cuba; grew up in the island, has lived in Chile and now resides in New Zealand. Alejandro has lived a painful and difficult journey marked by the admiration for his grandfather and the love of his family and adopted family. Alejandro is a campaigner for LGBTIQ+ rights.
Dr Maritza Thompson will present "Survival. The practice of Torture during the Chilean dictatorship from 1973-
1990. Testimonials of survival from two Chilean’s residing in Australia". This is one of the strongest addresses on that day. The organisers are grateful for Dr Thompson's support. Dr Thompson migrated to Australia in 1974 following the coup in her home country of Chile. She was 12 years old. Maritza is a Psychologist with over 30 years practice. She went back to Chile in 1986, visiting political prisoners and torture survivors within Chilean prisons. On her return she was a founding member of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture. Maritza went on to research the impact of torture amongst refugees. Her doctoral thesis focused on The Psychological Impact of Torture and Other Types of Systemic Abuse
Dr Rene Leal will be giving one of four scholarly addresses at this event. His address is titled "Fascism in Chile and its Global Impact". Dr René Leal is a lecturer in sociology at the University of Western Sydney (UWS). He was a student leader during the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile, has worked at various universities around the world and has published numerous academic papers on Chilean politics.
More information
Organising Committee: Rodrigo Acuna, Cecilia Jimenez, Adriana
Navarro, Franco Salinas, Paula Sanchez, Hilda Valenzuela, Miguel Valenzuela, Diego Villazon: 0405904783 50yearsofmemory@gmail.com