“We’re a rustic that at all times rises”

The legal professional and previous ambassador Javier Luis Egaña Baraona has revealed his ebook “Mis Memorias de Memoria” (Editorial Pehuén), which intertwines the creator’s non-public existence with essential historic occasions in Chile and together with his stories in Italy.

Egaña, a multifaceted guy, guides the reader from his formative years to the post-pandemic, in a piece that presentations his dedication to the neighborhood, his cultural passions, and his participation in key moments in Chilean historical past.

His revel in on 11th of September, 1973, when he labored as a tender legal professional on the State Financial institution, his paintings on the Vicariate of Unity and his revel in as Chile’s ambassador to the Vatican are one of the milestones of the paintings.

– What’s the beginning of this ebook?

– A couple of years in the past, a number of shut folks started to insist that I must write My Memoirs. They thought to be that the stories of my existence deserved to be captured in a ebook, since they might be precious for brand spanking new generations. Those insistences, at all times filled with affection, got here to me from buddies, collaborators and circle of relatives. I at all times felt supported via many of us, who collaborated in more than a few techniques in order that shall we post “Mis Memorias de Memoria.”

– What are the milestones, for your opinion, of your biography?

– Opting for the primary milestones of my 80 years of existence isn’t a very simple job, since I’ve been fortunate sufficient to reside many important stories. Along with the moments shared with my circle of relatives, my years of coaching, and my college years, the range of duties that I’ve needed to carry out have enriched me as an individual {and professional}.

Unquestionably, the coup d’état of 1973 used to be an tournament that deeply marked my existence, like that of such a lot of Chileans. From then on, I confronted essential demanding situations within the protection of human rights, basically within the Vicariate of Unity, an revel in that left an indelible mark on me.

Later, I had the glory of coordinating presidential command transmissions and several other Presidential Summits, in addition to representing Chile as ambassador to the Holy See. All of those moments had been essential milestones in my existence, which I deeply worth.

– How do you consider Chile, earlier than the coup d’état of 1973?

I needless to say, within the years earlier than the coup d’état of 1973, Chile used to be a easy nation, economically deficient, however with a marked democratic custom that gave us id as a country. Those had been instances when, regardless of barriers, there used to be a definite sense of neighborhood within the techniques of existence.

On the other hand, the ones years had been additionally filled with tensions. Within the overdue 60s and early 70s, the rustic, like many different countries, used to be experiencing profound processes of social transformation. At the one hand, there have been those that fought for better dignity and higher dwelling prerequisites for the susceptible and marginalized majority; However, there have been sectors that strongly resisted the social and financial adjustments that this implied. All of this befell in a context of political polarization that deeply divided society.

However what marked that point maximum used to be how that democratic custom, which we valued such a lot, used to be swiftly and painfully interrupted with the coup d’état of 1973. That reality modified now not best the historical past of the rustic, but in addition the lives of all people. , beginning a dictatorship that left deep wounds in our society.

– You had an extended profession within the Vicariate, what do you get better from that duration?

– Cardinal Raúl Silva Henríquez requested me to take over as the primary government secretary of the Vicariate of Unity. It used to be, for sure, one of the most toughest classes I’ve ever skilled. We confronted the horror of human rights violations, however we additionally present in that paintings a possibility to construct, at the side of a crew of courageous folks, an area the place shall we obtain proceedings, welcome members of the family who had been searching for their family members and be , by hook or by crook, a mild of hope in the middle of the crimes of the dictatorship.

I spotlight the dedication, professionalism and willpower of all of the individuals who participated in that paintings. Their braveness used to be admirable: they risked their lives and uncovered their households in order that shall we supply a provider that intended beef up, convenience and protection for many who wanted it maximum.

– All through the Concertación, you held a number of positions within the executive. What’s your analysis of that duration?

– Getting out of a dictatorship via an election used to be a ancient tournament and, for plenty of, unthinkable. First, with the plebiscite that confounded the dictator, after which with the vote that introduced Patricio Aylwin to the presidency, Chile skilled a heroic feat that marked the start of the democratic transition.

The Concertación governments that adopted the dictatorship confronted the giant problem of rebuilding social, institutional and global family members within the context of a recovered democracy. I sincerely consider that those governments controlled to advance in lots of spaces that were oppressed and left at the back of right through the dictatorship. Tradition used to be revalued, essential steps had been taken in justice and fact, and Chile opened to the sector via financial family members with different countries.

Having a look again, it is conceivable to suppose that some issues will have been accomplished another way. However historical past isn’t constructed abruptly; It’s constructed step-by-step. I’m satisfied that the Concertación governments represented a elementary contribution to the improvement and historical past of Chile.

– To what do you characteristic the social outbreak of 2019?

– I understand the social outbreak that started on October 18, 2019 as a deep expression of the disappointment and longing of many sectors that experience now not been in a position to really feel development of their day by day lives. It used to be a manifestation of the inequalities and abuses that persist in our society and that experience particularly affected probably the most marginalized.

Unquestionably, this era used to be marked via expressions of violence, each via protesters and via state brokers and police forces. On the other hand, past this violence, what used to be obvious used to be the urgency to transport in opposition to a extra simply, supportive and dignified society for all. We proceed to revel in how this trail and urgency are adopted, the place we’d be expecting a willpower that turns into a commonplace excellent.

– What’s your view of Chile these days and expectancies for the way forward for the rustic?

– Chile these days faces essential demanding situations that fear our society, comparable to crime, circumstances of corruption and eventualities of abuse that have an effect on probably the most susceptible. Those are complicated instances, but in addition moments that decision us to replicate and paintings in combination for a greater long run.

In spite of those difficulties, I stay hopeful. Our historical past has taught us that we’re a rustic that at all times rises up, in a position to overcoming probably the most tricky moments. Each day, in several corners, there are folks and efforts devoted to development a extra truthful, secure and dignified Chile for everybody.