Next Friday, May 3, the America Room of the National Library will witness a meeting full of memory, feelings and solidarity, with the delivery of two significant literary works.
Under the title “Swedes in the Resistance”, the books “And they called it July, Life of Svante Grände” and “Against the Current, Memories of the Resistance Struggle in Chile” will be presented.
This delivery is carried out by Ediciones La Estaca, in collaboration with the Cicret Foundation, two entities committed to the dissemination of stories that highlight solidarity.
Written by Per-Ulf Nilsson, “And They Called Him July, Life of Svante Grände” immerses the reader in the life of a young Swede who left home to join the resistance in Chile. Through the pages of this book, the challenges and sacrifices that Julio faced in his fight for freedom and justice are revealed.
For its part, “Against the Current, Memories of the Resistance Struggle in Chile,” written by Ann Stödberg, offers an intimate testimony of her own participation in the resistance against the Pinochet dictatorship. From her arrival in Chile during turbulent times to her commitment to the cause of freedom, Stödberg shares her memories with a sincerity and passion that inspires her.
“I had already planned to come to Chile for a long time because I was preparing my doctoral thesis on the role of women in the labor market in Chile in a historical perspective. I was also interested in knowing the political process in Chile during the Popular Unity. But I arrived late, after the coup, and then everything had changed. As a left-wing person, the bloody military coup and the repression led me to the proposal of trying to help the resistance. Coming from a strong European tradition of international solidarity, it seemed natural to me to try to contribute what I could to those who wanted to confront the repressive forces in a necessary and just struggle,” says Ann.
In addition to Ann Stödberg’s powerful narrative, “And They Called Him July” provides a unique perspective on the international solidarity that was experienced during those turbulent years in Chile. The life of Svante Grände, as told in the book written by Per-Ulf Nilsson, offers an in-depth look at the motives and experiences of a young Swede who immerses himself in the fight against the Pinochet dictatorship.
Through its pages, the reader discovers the challenges, friendships, and adversities that Svante faced while fighting for freedom and justice in a foreign country.
Next Friday’s event will bring together old Swedish and Chilean friends from those hard years of struggle to share their experiences and reflections on those difficult times, as well as on the international solidarity that marked this crucial time in Chilean history.
It is worth remembering that during those turbulent years of the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990), the spirit of international solidarity resonated strongly in Europe, where numerous countries, including Sweden, united in support of the Chilean resistance.
Organizations, activists and ordinary citizens joined together in a collaborative network, providing humanitarian assistance, disseminating information and applying pressure at the diplomatic level to denounce human rights violations in Chile. This transnational cooperation not only reflected outrage at the injustices suffered by the Chilean people, but also a shared commitment to democratic values and fundamental rights.
At a time when democratic ideals are being challenged around the world, these stories serve as powerful reminders of the need to remain united in the fight for a more just and equitable world.
“For us as Ediciones La Estaca and Fundación Cicret, it is a tremendous pride to be able to deliver these two books that show the solidarity and active militancy of two of our colleagues who risked their lives in the fight against the dictatorship. With them we also want to vindicate all the internationalists who accompanied us as one more in the hard process experienced in the anti-dictatorial struggle and these pages are fundamental for the Memory because they show the day-to-day integration of these young people with our people, the learning and the conditions of life in hiding and how civil and military repression acted and devastated a people that sought to build their own destiny,” says José Bórquez, director of La Estaca.