Profile

In Scotland, I become a sort of a cultural worker engaged in activities around the theme of music, poetry, tradition, identity and memories which had allowed me to do social and solidarity work in this country.

Part of this work has been to research, document and write a history of the Chilean refugees in Scotland. This is important because it is about a drama that began in Chile on the 11th of September of 1973. On this date, a bloody coup d' etat took place with terrible consequences for the country. The coup was staged by the army General Augusto Pinochet, with the support of the Government of the United States, against the democratic elected Socialist Government of Salvador Allende. It is against the backdrop of this sad experience that I found myself doing things that I never dreamt of doing. My story, a labyrinth, evolves round two very different countries miles apart in distance, history and culture. I just wanted to share my experience!

In May 2010, for example, The Scottish Refugee Council and The United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees.(UNHCR) asked me to support their activities to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the The United Nation Convention on Refugees. With pleasure, I accepted their invitation because I knew so well that this organization had played a great role during the dictatorship. One of the highlights of these activities, was to have tea at the Home Office with the conservative Minister Theresa May. I was one of three refugees in Britain invited to the Home Office.

Another interesting experience for me has been to become a Unison Shop Steward to represent the Support Staff in my place of work. I hate the idea of history passing me by my side - I want to be part of it!

I love playing my guitar	1984 Work with the 7:84 theatre Co.
1988, Edinburgh, I organized this symbolic referendum	1998, Demo-London detention of Pinochet
Performing at the Edinburgh University	2001 By Craig McLean for a photographic exhibition in Edinburgh
In a film , a 'wee' part, with Gregor Fisher	2011. UNHCR-Tea with Theresa May at the Home Office
Work with the 7:84 Theatre Co. Canada- The playwright J. McGrath   2010 Support in Edinburgh for the Chilean earthquake -   2011. London. At the Home Office with UNHCR staff. Meeting with the Home Secretary Theresa May	Support against cuts on jobs and education in Scotland 2010 Chilean earthquake The fisherman Alejandro Reyes was the recipient of a boat we bought for him in Edinburgh Latin America Canta En Edimburgo (LACE)