Walking on the Bones On September 11, 1973 , Chilean forces attacked, in a horrible, savage coordinated action, the major cities in Chile
Agents of the state arrested Victor Jara and many others including Chilean, American, French, Spanish and Swiss citizens.
People were herded into stadiums for interrogation.
Without due process, that often resulted in death by and firing squad.
It happened to Professor Victor Jara.
Lindblom
On
Agents of the state arrested Victor Jara and many others including Chilean, American, French, Spanish and Swiss citizens.
People were herded into stadiums for interrogation.
Without due process, that often resulted in death by and firing squad.
It happened to Professor Victor Jara.
Lindblom
credit: http://www.patriagrande.net
Very rough translation
"The 10 of September of 1973 recibi an invitation for the exhibition "By the life. Against the fascismo ", that debia to be inaugurated to the following day in the Tecnica University. Alli tapeworm that to take part Rescuing Beyond and was going to sing Victor Rockrose. The vispera I saw the enormous poster of the exhibition. A mother nursed her creature and the shade of both was bathed of blood. It was a quiet, but very expressive call, to defend the life against the fascismo. Victor proponia to organize a trip of propaganda by pais to alert to the town. The antifascist exhibition of the Tecnica University tapeworm that to mark the beginning of this action. But the 11 of September the exhibition I am not inaugurated. Rescuing Beyond it did that day his I complete call to the town and not in the Greek Forum of the University, but in the palace of the Currency, surrounded by the putchistas. Beyond it did that day his I complete call to the town The putchistas seized of all the Armed Forces. Despues of the unavoidable resignation of the generals, coreligionists of Carlos Prats, whom they headed I exercise of earth, were dismissed of their positions admiral Raul Montero, commander of Navy military, and Jose Maria Sepulveda, chief of a main directorate of the carbineers, who queria not to add itself to the putchistas. In the Armed Forces efectuo a free from above to down. The facists managed to turn many officials blind instruments of the plot, convenciendolos of the necessity to be against to the threat of extermination of the control panels that, as they affirmed, plotted the Popular Unit. Pinochet I head the blow the new Commander-in-Chief, general Pinochet, who in visperas habia jury fidelity to president Allende, I head the blow. Facist concealed with chewed constitutionalist, Pinochet issued order to it to besiege the palace of the Currency. In these conditions Beyond creyo with right not to be called to the town inner me to the fight. Queria to avoid a inutil spilling of blood, but decidio to accept unequal battle in the Currency. Wise person who with a handful of the defenders of the palace podria not to reach the military victory. But the president was convinced that the combat that libraria defending the mandate of the town, serious a moral and politica victory of the Popular Unit. Queria not to see defeated the flag of the revolution, but to leave it well high. The agent chief executive of the town prefirio to die weapon in hand before to capitulate as opposed to the putchistas, he was sure that his death nonserious esteril. Jamas will forget the firmness whereupon it spoke Beyond by the microphonos of the communist transmitter Magallanes. Its voice sounded on the roar of the explosions: - Before the facts single it is possible to say to me to the workers: I am not going to resign. Placed in I journey historico, will pay with my life the loyalty of the town. I rotated the small hand of the portatil radio. Despues of the aerial attacks the democraticas transmitters were shutting up one after another one. But Magallanes seguia resisting. The putchistas could not interrupt... we will follow aqui until the end... I complete speech of Salvador Beyond. Soon it listens to the familiar voice of the speaker, who said: "At any time they can interrupt to us, but we will follow aqui until the end". In the middle of the cannon shots salio to the air the song of Sergio Ortega the united town, interpreted by Quilapayun. Those that they were in the transmitter corearon the refrain: And now the town that raises itself in the fight with giant voice shouting: It advanced! Sera the united town jamas won! Who were next to the microphono they sabian that the enemies abririan fire against them. My radius emitio chasquido and a detonation breathlessness the voices of the singers. In vain try to communicate by I telephone with Magallanes Radio when I stop to transmit. Meanwhile, in the center of Santiago a smoke cloud rose. The airplanes of the putchistas were bombing the presidential palace. Victor was in the University, but nonsong from the scene, took a walk with the guitar between the students treating to animate them. Around the building the air estremecia of rafagas of machine gun. Now I am going to yield the word to the witnesses of the ultimos days of Victor Rockrose. The day of the blow saw Cecilia Coll, leader of the artistica section of the Departamenteo of culture and information it of the Tecnica University. You glimpsed it in Moscu. Cecilia Coll: "Victor I reach to arrive at the University when the military coup participants occupied the key positions in the capital. But the situation todavia was confused. Victor pass by my office and I ask: - That we do? - We are going to hope - That I must do? - Quedarte aqui. To animate with your songs to the students, academicos and workers. Awaiting the possible attack it was decided: to transfer to the students and other workers from the University to the School of Arts and Offices. It was a building with resistant walls but. As if outside now I see the face of Victor: it calls by I telephone from my office to his wife Joan. - I must remain aqui a time. You do not worry. Delay. Volvere without lack. Victor always was a man of having. And siguio being in this dangerous situation. Despues sufri much by its death. Me senti of algun guilty way before. Podia not to pardon me it not to have commanded then to its house. Debi to do it. Although but late the soldiers already located heavy machine guns in the ceilings of the buildings near the University, but until the touch of it is left todavia was possible to leave. Nevertheless, I thought: in the street they can identify it and kill... " At night the University was surrounded by soldiers in armored cars. All the night they were being prepared for the attack as if they had a military strength ahead. Despues of the intense cannonade, the soldiers burst in into the building the soldiers burst in into the building and undertook to recoils with the students. The camarografo Hugo Araya, that habia come to film the inauguration of the exhibition, situo with his camara in front of the "triumphant winners". And almost right away a shot I kill it. To Victor along with other students forced it to tend in the ground mouth down. - To that it moves flight the head - the officials shouted. During several hours the soldiers pisoteaban with their boots to tended people, without leaving rose until I get the order to transfer to the "prisoners" from the Tecnica University to the Stage of Chile that, like the National, recibia to the captive prisoners. Salvador Beyond murio in its position, with the arms in the hand... Little despues of the facist contrarrevolucionario blow in Chile the press of the entire world I publish completes photo of Salvador Beyond. In this historica sequence the "companion president" in the palace surrounded by the putchistas seems a soldier before the combat, the head touched with a helmet and grasping the metralleta in the right hand. The face of the president, just as the one of the brave defenders of the Currency who accompany it, it has one serious expression. Salvador Beyond murio in its position, with the arms in the hand. He interests me in the man who aparecia in the photo next to Beyond. Talking with the Chileans he finds out to me that one was the particular medico of Salvador Beyond, a certain Danilo Bartulin (grandson of Yugoslav e'migre's). The 11 of September of 1973 Bartulin was witness of you complete hours of life of the president in the building of the Currency, prey of the flames. By inverosimil that seem, safe Danilo by miracle and I emigrate of Chile. You glimpsed to me with in Mexico, where I was in 1976 by arts of the media. Danilo Bartulin I am spoken of I complete combat of the "companion president". The conversation already concluia when I knew the news unexpected. Danilo Bartulin step along with Victor Rockrose the ultimos days of life of the singer in the Stage of Chile. The interview I finish to entrance the night already. Danilo spoke slowly, with effort. It listened to it feeling that an inextinguishable pain me oprimia the heart. I reproduce the story of Danilo Bartulin. story of Danilo Bartulin "When they stopped to me, took me to the Stage of Chile. It was in the evening of the 12 of September. Alli already habia many prisoners. Along with other prisoners ordered to us to put to us in row with the hands in the nape of the neck. Suddenly an official me reconocio: - It is the medico of Salvador Beyond. Commander Manrique, a hardened facist, I approach my, I undo the cover, coat the pistol and apuntandome at the top said: - your hour has arrived. And going to the soldiers I order: - Separenlo of demas and dejenmelo to my. They separated to me from the group and they gave a push me that I throw to me by the Earth. I saw to a group of jovenes that the soldiers were urging on, apuntandolos with metralletas. To the commander they said to him: - They are those of the Tecnica University. They also put them in row. Manrique recorrio the row and I indicate with the finger to a prisoner: - To that me they also leave it my. Queria not to give credito to my eyes. Rockrose was Victor. Several soldiers animated themselves: "Aqui this the singing Rockrose...". But the short official them: - This gentleman wants to happen on the other hand. He is to lider extremist. That qualification was sufficient to justify the murder. Little despues to Victor and to my separated to us of other prisoners and they put to us in a cold corridor. They were pegandonos from the seven of afternoon to the three of the dawn. Encontrabamo fallen down to us in the ground without being able to move to us. Estabamos isolated of other politicos prisoners. About the three of the dawn a lieutenant came who I invite myself to seat. Empezo to beyond ask on and me tendio to me a cigarette. Smoke. Meanwhile, Victor seguia tended in the ground. He gives half to him of the cigarette, since the lieutenant did not want to give another one to Victor. Almost three days was together Victor and I in the Stage of Chile. To us almost they did not give us to eat. Engañabamos the hunger with water. Victor tapeworm the expensive flood of bruises and an eye closed by the swelling. We talked much in that time, Victor I am spoken of its family, her woman and her daughters to those who queria much, of its espectaculos in the theater and the new songs that dreamed to do... In the same stage where they tenian to us imprisoned, to Victor they habian to him applauded when I gain the aid of the New Chilean Song in the festival. In the same stage where they tenian to us imprisoned, to Victor they habian to him applauded when I gain the aid of the New Chilean Song Victor was pessimist with respect to its destiny. It thought that not saldria of alli. Try to animate it. Although presentia his proxima death, seguia being the one of always. One behaved with value, with dignity, nonfoot grace to his torturadores... " Aqui I interrupt the recording of my conversation with Danilo Bartulin to complete it with the testimonies of other ex--prisoners of the Stage of Chile, to those who also you glimpsed. Rolando Carrasco, ex--director of the union radio Luis Emilio Recabarren: story of Rolando Carrasco "Twice I saw to Victor in the Stage of Chile. They were brief encounter. 13 or 14 of September, through the sight, in the morning, happen near the corridor where they tenian to the isolated prisoners. Alli was Victor Rockrose, seated in a wood chair, debilitated, with signs of you whip in the forehead and the cheeks. Sonrio when seeing me. We greeted ourselves. To the following day it happens again through alli and again our glances were crossed. We greeted ourselves. Like the previous day, its face I illuminate myself with a smile that I comfort the soul. It already had been as much time in this damn corridor! Once in a while the guards venian by and they took it not where. Now he was dificil to gladly imagine that todavia the 10 of September estuvieramos ones joking in the transmitter. In the studies escuchabamos Victor and I the recording of its new canion: He marches the constructors. The disc tapeworm that to leave soon. Rockrose queria that the transmitter of the Unica Power station de Trabajadores was first in transmitting this march, compound to request of the workers of the construction. The 11 of September our transmitter was sacked by the coup participants when refusing to obey to the facist meeting. When seeing Rockrose in the stage, pense with bitterness that surely that completes recording of Victor habria destroyed and the disc not saldria... Victor was reserved and shut up, whereas in my memory sounded the voice of the singer... " Sometimes the twigs left peacefully Victor Jara and Danilo Bartulin, because they tenian too much "work" in the stage. Despues to it, parecia that is habian forgotten the artist. He was own Victor who step or accidentally sent it with other prisoners. There am aqui what me conto Carlos Orellana, ex--collaborator of the Department of culture and information of the Tecnica University, that was stopped Rockrose along with: story of Carlos Orellana "On the inside the Stage covered with Chile was in favor illuminated constantly of the reflectors and we did not take in losing nocion of the day and the night. Victor was algun time with us, but nonrecuero when they removed it from our group. Not if he went to the following day or third of our stay alli. "Normally in the stage they announced by the loudspeakers the last name of the prisoner ordering to him to appear in such-and-such place. But to Rockrose it came to look for it a soldier. At this moment Victor was seated between Boris Navia, jurist of the University, and I. The soldier I approach quiet and without pronouncing a word I touch to the shoulder of Victor doing to him signs so that it followed them. As much I, as other teniamos prisoners the impression that the military do not querian to say aloud that to Rockrose they took it part to some... When the singer I rise surely -, it did not think to return healthy and safe it had time to remove from the pocket a wrinkled leaf of paper and occurred it to Boris Navia furtively. It was the poem Stage of Chile, made up of Victor. "But late, already in the National Stage during the first interrogations, between the things of Boris Navia, they found the paper with the poem, escondia in a sock. The poem denounced the fascismo and the dictatorship. The military thought that his author was Boris and they beat it without mercy. They cleared the poem to him. But with the aid of the Boris companions he could by hand make several copies of the poem. One of copies went to stop at hands of Ernesto Araneda, communist outstanding and ex--senator, who also was imprisoned. Not as profit to save the poem and to send were it. Depues of the death of the singer the party I in secrecy publish this poem, that quickly was disclosed and it became famous... "By it completes time I saw to Victor in the Stage of Chile, hours despues of which the soldier took to it. It had a little while when podia to move but or less frees by graderias. I approach a student of the University. Habia seen Victor in a corridor and algun moment Victor insinuo that queria for speaking to him with me. When Victor approaches to me In those terrible conditions thought about his companions to the corridor, Rockrose pidio to the guard who accompanied it to the bath. Me dirigi alla also. Alli we could interchange several phrases. By the covered with blood face of Victor comprendi that d it cruel. But I am not called to complain or to request something for personally. To Victor suspicious him parecia a "prisoner", also of the Tecnica University that rambled by the stage without fear, chatted and until it joked with the military. All that parecia very strange. Victor penso - and tapeworm reason that was a scavenger, infiltrated specifically. Rockrose creia his to have to notice us to us, professors, collaborator and students of the Tecnica University. About those terrible conditions Victor it thought about his companions. Despues of this encounter it volvi not to see... " But we return to the recording of the interview with Danilo Bartulin. "the stage, that gave capacity to five thousand people, was filled. In order to te the prisoners, at night they blinded with powerful reflectors. Heavy machine guns on you triprune aimed at graderias full of people to intimidate the prisoners. "Soon they began to transfer urgently to the prisoners to the National Stage where to the military he was to them but facil to control the situation. In I complete estabamos formed group to go to the National Victor and. Altogether eramos fifty people. Suddenly aparecio Manrique commander, recorrio the row and I order to leave to Victor Rockrose, Litre Quiroga, well-known jurist and Communist, and to my. - Llevenlos down - she said down waited for the death to us "wise I who ` abajó waited for the death to us. Alli camara tenian qualified one, in which habia be guardarropia and several baths. Many of our companions were taken alli, but nobody volvio. Once they lead me to the interrogation and, when happening, I saw a pile of cadaveres, massacreed and dismantled bodies. Soon they removed cadaveres in trucks and they left wire drawings them in the street. "`Abajó put to us to Victor and my in a same bath. In the neighboring bath it was Litre Quiroga. Nonteniamos Victor and I understood that salvacion: eramos the ultimos prisoners of the Stage of Chile. But unexpectedly the order occurred which I left. Victor and I took leave to silence, with a single one watched. They took me to an armored car with the motor in march, they put to me inside and they closed the door. The truck was full of prisoners. Asi I went to stop to the National Stage. Single being alli comprendi because they do not habian to me until death lazy with Victor in camara of the condemned. When seeing me between they recien them arrived, a colonel of customs officers said: "- It is. It must say everything to us what knows of Beyond. "constant interrogations and s Began. Querian that made certain "confessions" to discredit the life and the personality of the popular president. Three times made me happen through execution maneuverses... "Soon I knew that to the body of Victor habia discovered near the Metropolitan cemetery and cadaver of Litre Quiroga, in a street of Santiago. Naturally, the military both killed that same night to prisoners who were in the Stage of Chile and soon they threw his bodies in the city so that it seemed that they habian dead in a street shooting... " Danilo Bartulin I conclude its story and recordo that being todavia I in Santiago the partisans of the meeting disclosed the version of which the singer habia attacked with metralleta one patrols military man and this, defending itself, I kill it. But the unica weapon of Victor was the guitar. To Danilo Bartulin they d it to sonsacar the secret datas to him that podia to know the medico particular of the president. But that "secret" podia to know the singer... To Victor they d it and they assassinated because they hated its songs."
http://www.patriagrande.net/chile/victor.jara/vjmuerte.html
Another translation:
"And l 10 of September of 1973 recibi an invitation for the Por exhibition the life. Against fascismo , that debia to be inaugurated to the following day in the Tecnica University. Alli tapeworm that to take part Rescuing Beyond and was going to sing Victor Jara.
The vispera I saw the enormous poster of the exhibition. A mother nursed her creature and the shade of both was bathed of blood. It was a quiet, but very expressive call, to defend the life against the fascismo. Victor proponia to organize a trip of propaganda by pais to alert to the town. The antifascist exhibition of the Tecnica University tapeworm that to mark the beginning of this action.
| But the 11 of September the exhibition I am not inaugurated. Rescuing Beyond it did that day his I complete call to the town and not in the Greek Forum of the University, but in the palace of the Currency, surrounded by the putchistas. | Beyond it did that day his I complete call to the town |
The putchistas seized of all the Armed Forces. Despues of the unavoidable resignation of the generals, coreligionists of Carlos Prats, whom they headed I exercise of earth, were dismissed of their positions admiral Raul Montero, commander of Navy military, and Jose Maria Sepulveda, chief of a main directorate of the carbineers, who queria not to add itself to the putchistas. In the Armed Forces efectuo a free from above to down. The facists managed to turn many officials blind instruments of the plot, convenciendolos of the necessity to be against to the threat of extermination of the control panels that, as they affirmed, plotted the Popular Unit.
Pinochet I head the blow | The new Commander-in-Chief, general Pinochet, who in visperas habia jury fidelity to president Allende, I head the blow. Facist concealed with chewed constitutionalist, Pinochet issued order to it to besiege the palace of the Currency. |
In these conditions Beyond creyo with right not to be called to the town inner me to the fight. Queria to avoid a inutil spilling of blood, but decidio to accept unequal battle in the Currency. Wise person who with a handful of the defenders of the palace podria not to reach the military victory. But the president was convinced that the combat that libraria defending the mandate of the town, serious a moral and politica victory of the Popular Unit. Queria not to see defeated the flag of the revolution, but to leave it well high. The agent chief executive of the town prefirio to die weapon in hand before to capitulate as opposed to the putchistas, he was sure that his death nonserious esteril.
Jamas will forget the firmness whereupon it spoke Beyond by the microphonos of the communist transmitter Magallanes. Its voice sounded on the roar of the explosions:
| I rotated the small hand of the portatil radio. Despues of the aerial attacks the democraticas transmitters were shutting up one after another one. But Magallanes seguia resisting. The putchistas could not interrupt | ... we will follow aqui until the end... |
| I complete speech of Salvador Beyond. Soon it listens to the familiar voice of the speaker, who said: they En any moment can interrupt to us, but we will follow aqui until final . In the middle of the cannon shots salio to the air the song of Sergio Ortega the united town , interpreted by Quilapayun. Those that they were in the transmitter corearon the refrain: | |
Who were next to the microphono they sabian that the enemies abririan fire against them. My radius emitio chasquido and a detonation breathlessness the voices of the singers.
In vain try to communicate by I telephone with Magallanes Radio when I stop to transmit. Meanwhile, in the center of Santiago a smoke cloud rose. The airplanes of the putchistas were bombing the presidential palace.
Victor was in the University, but nonsong from the scene, took a walk with the guitar between the students treating to animate them. Around the building the air estremecia of rafagas of machine gun.
Now I am going to yield the word to the witnesses of the ultimos days of Victor Rockrose. The day of the blow saw Cecilia Coll, leader of the artistica section of the Departamenteo of culture and information it of the Tecnica University. You glimpsed it in Moscu.
Cecilia Coll: Victor I reach to arrive at the University when the military coup participants occupied the key positions in the capital. But the situation todavia was confused. Victor pass by my office and I ask:
Awaiting the possible attack it was decided: to transfer to the students and other workers from the University to the School of Arts and Offices. It was a building with resistant walls but.
As if outside now I see the face of Victor: it calls by I telephone from my office to its wife Joan.
Victor always was a man of having. And siguio being in this dangerous situation.
Despues sufri much by its death. Me senti of algun guilty way before. Podia not to pardon me it not to have commanded then to its house. Debi to do it. Although but late the soldiers already located heavy machine guns in the ceilings of the buildings near the University, but until the touch of it is left todavia was possible to leave. Nevertheless, I thought: in the street they can identify it and kill...
| At night the University was surrounded by soldiers in armored cars. All the night they were being prepared for the attack as if they had a military strength ahead. Despues of the intense cannonade, the soldiers burst in into the building | the soldiers burst in into the building |
| and they undertook to recoils with the students. The camarografo Hugo Araya, that habia come to film the inauguration of the exhibition, situo with his camara as opposed to vencedores triumphant. And almost right away a shot I kill it. To Victor along with other students forced it to tend in the ground mouth down. | |
During several hours the soldiers pisoteaban with their boots to tended people, without leaving rose until I get the order to transfer to prisioneros from the Tecnica University to the Stage of Chile that, like the National, recibia to the captive prisoners.
Salvador Beyond murio in its position, with the arms in the hand | ... Little despues of the facist contrarrevolucionario blow in Chile the press of the entire world I publish completes photo of Salvador Beyond . In this historica sequence the compañero presidente in the palace surrounded by the putchistas seems a soldier before the combat, the head touched with a helmet and grasping the metralleta in the right hand. The face of the president, just as the one of the brave defenders of the Currency who accompany it, it has one serious expression. Salvador Beyond murio in its position, with the arms in the hand. |
It interests me in the man who aparecia in the photo next to Beyond. Talking with the Chileans it finds out to me that one was the particular medico of Salvador Beyond, a certain Danilo Bartulin (grandson of Yugoslav e'migre's). The 11 of September of 1973 Bartulin was witness of you complete hours of life of the president in the building of the Currency, prey of the flames.
By inverosimil that seem, safe Danilo by miracle and I emigrate of Chile. You glimpsed to me with in Mexico, where I was in 1976 by arts of the media. Danilo Bartulin I am spoken of I complete combat of the compañero presidente . The conversation already concluia when I knew the news unexpected. Danilo Bartulin step along with Victor Rockrose the ultimos days of life of the singer in the Stage of Chile.
The interview I finish to entrance the night already. Danilo spoke slowly, with effort. It listened to it feeling that an inextinguishable pain me oprimia the heart. I reproduce the story of Danilo Bartulin.
story of Danilo Bartulin
Commander Manrique, a hardened facist, I approach my, I undo the cover, coat the pistol and apuntandome at the top said:
And going to the soldiers I order:
They separated to me from the group and they gave a push me that I throw to me by the Earth. I saw to a group of jovenes that the soldiers were urging on, apuntandolos with metralletas.
To the commander they said to him:
They also put them in row. Manrique recorrio the row and I indicate with the finger to a prisoner:
Queria not to give credito to my eyes. Rockrose was Victor. Several soldiers animated themselves: Aqui this the singing Rockrose... . But the short official them:
That qualification was sufficient to justify the murder.
Little despues to Victor and to my separated to us of other prisoners and they put to us in a cold corridor. They were pegandonos from the seven of afternoon to the three of the dawn. Encontrabamo fallen down to us in the ground without being able to move to us. Estabamos isolated of other politicos prisoners. About the three of the dawn a lieutenant came who I invite myself to seat. Empezo to beyond ask on and me tendio to me a cigarette. Smoke. Meanwhile, Victor seguia tended in the ground. He gives half to him of the cigarette, since the lieutenant did not want to give another one to Victor.
Almost three days was together Victor and I in the Stage of Chile. To us almost they did not give us to eat. Engañabamos the hunger with water. Victor tapeworm the expensive flood of bruises and an eye closed by the swelling.
| We talked much in that time, Victor I am spoken of its family, her woman and her daughters to those who queria much, of its espectaculos in the theater and the new songs that dreamed to do... In the same stage where they tenian to us imprisoned, to Victor they habian to him applauded when I gain the aid of the New Chilean Song in the festival. | In the same stage where they tenian to us imprisoned, to Victor they habian to him applauded when I gain the aid of the New Chilean Song |
Aqui interrumpo la grabacion de mi conversacion con Danilo Bartulin para completarla con los testimonios de otros ex-prisioneros del Estadio de Chile, a quienes tambien entreviste.
Rolando Carrasco, ex-director de la radio sindical Luis Emilio Recabarren:
relato de Rolando Carrasco
“Dos veces vi a Victor en el Estadio de Chile. Fueron unos encuentros breves. El 13 o 14 de septiembre, por lo visto, por la mañana, pase cerca del pasillo donde tenian a los prisioneros aislados. Alli estaba Victor Jara, sentado en una silla de madera, extenuado, con rastros de azotes en la frente y las mejillas. Se sonrio al verme. Nos saludamos. Al dia siguiente pase de nuevo por alli y otra vez nuestras miradas se cruzaron. Nos saludamos. Al igual que el dia anterior, su rostro se ilumino con una sonrisa que me reconforto el alma. ¡Llevaba ya tanto tiempo en este maldito pasillo! De vez en cuando los guardias venian por el y se lo llevaban a no se donde.Ahora era dificil imaginar que todavia el 10 de septiembre estuvieramos bromeando alegremente en la emisora. En los estudios Victor y yo escuchabamos la grabacion de su nueva canion: Marcha de los constructores. El disco tenia que salir pronto. Jara queria que la emisora de la Central Unica de Trabajadores fuera la primera en transmitir esta marcha, compuesta a peticion de los obreros de la construccion. El 11 de septiembre nuestra emisora fue saqueada por los golpistas al negarse a obedecer a la junta fascista. Al ver a Jara en el estadio, pense con amargura que seguramente aquella ultima grabacion de Victor habria sido destruida y el disco no saldria... Victor estaba reservado y callado, mientras que en mi memoria sonaba la voz del cantante...”
A veces los verdugos dejaban en paz a Victor Jara y Danilo Bartulin, porque tenian demasiado “trabajo” en el estadio. Despues de torturarlo, parecia que se habian olvidado del artista. Fue el propio Victor que paso o casualmente lo enviaron con otros prisioneros. He aqui lo que me conto Carlos Orellana, ex-colaborador del Departamento de cultura e informacion de la Universidad Tecnica, que fue detenido junto con Jara:
relato de Carlos Orellana
“Normalmente en el estadio anunciaban por los altavoces el apellido del prisionero ordenandole presentarse en tal o cual lugar. Pero a Jara lo vino a buscar un soldado. En este momento Victor estaba sentado entre Boris Navia, jurista de la Universidad, y yo. El soldado se acerco silenciosamente y sin pronunciar una palabra toco el hombro de Victor haciendole señas para que los siguiera. Tanto yo, como otros prisioneros teniamos la impresion de que los militares no querian decir en voz alta que a Jara se lo llevaban a alguna parte... Cuando el cantante se levanto -seguramente, no pensaba volver sano y salvo- tuvo tiempo de sacar del bolsillo una hoja arrugada de papel y se la dio furtivamente a Boris Navia. Era el poema Estadio de Chile, compuesto por Victor.
“Mas tarde, ya en el Estadio Nacional durante los primeros interrogatorios, entre las cosas de Boris Navia, encontraron el papel con el poema, lo escondia en un calcetin. El poema denunciaba el fascismo y la dictadura. Los militares creyeron que su autor era Boris y lo apalearon sin piedad. Le quitaron el poema. Pero con la ayuda de los compañeros Boris pudo hacer varias copias a mano del poema. Una de las copias fue a parar a manos de Ernesto Araneda, destacado comunista y ex-senador, que tambien estaba preso. No se como logro salvar el poema y enviarlo fuera. Depues de la muerte del cantante el partido edito en la clandestinidad este poema, que fue rapidamente divulgado y se hizo famoso...
| “Por ultima vez vi a Victor en el Estadio de Chile, unas horas despues de que se lo llevara el soldado. Hubo un momento cuando se podia moverse mas o menos libre por las graderias. Se me acerco un estudiante de la Universidad. Habia visto a Victor en un pasillo y en algun momento Victor le insinuo que queria hablar conmigo. Cuando me acerque | En aquellas terribles condiciones Victor pensaba en sus compañeros |
| al pasillo, Jara pidio al guardia que lo acompañara al baño. Me dirigi alla tambien. Alli pudimos intercambiar varias frases. Por el rostro ensangrentado de Victor comprendi que lo torturaban cruelmente. Pero no me llamo para quejarse o pedir algo para el personalmente. A Victor le parecia sospechoso un “prisionero”, tambien de la Universidad Tecnica que deambulaba por el estadio sin temor, charlaba y hasta bromeaba con los militares. Todo eso parecia muy extraño. Victor penso -y tenia razon- que se trataba de un soplon, infiltrado expresamente. Jara creia su deber advertirnos a nosotros, profesores, colaboradores y estudiantes de la Universidad Tecnica. En aquellas terribles condiciones Victor pensaba en sus compañeros. Despues de este encuentro no lo volvi a ver...” | |
Mas volvamos a la grabacion de la entrevista con Danilo Bartulin.
“El estadio, que daba cabida a cinco mil personas, estaba repleto. Para r a los prisioneros, por la noche cegaban con potentes reflectores. Ametralladoras pesadas sobre tripodes apuntaban a las graderias llenas de gente para amedrentar a los prisioneros.
“Pronto empezaron a trasladar urgentemente a los prisioneros al Estadio Nacional donde a los militares les era mas facil controlar la situacion. En el ultimo grupo formado para ir al Nacional estabamos Victor y yo. En total eramos unas cincuenta personas. De pronto aparecio el comandante Manrique, recorrio la fila y ordeno a salir a Victor Jara, Litre Quiroga, conocido jurista y comunista, y a mi.
abajo nos esperaba la muerte | “Yo sabia que ‘abajo’ nos esperaba la muerte. Alli tenian habilitada una camara, en lo que habia sido guardarropia y varios baños. Muchos de nuestros compañeros fueron llevados alli, pero nadie volvio. Una vez que me condujeron al interrogatorio y, al pasar, vi un monton de cadaveres, de cuerpos masacrados y desmembrados. Luego sacaban los cadaveres en camiones y los dejaban tirados en la calle. |
“Empezaron constantes interrogatorios y torturas. Querian que hiciera ciertas “confesiones” para desacreditar la vida y la personalidad del presidente popular. Tres veces me hicieron pasar por simulacros de fusilamiento...
“Luego supe que el cuerpo de Victor habia sido descubierto cerca del cementerio Metropolitano y el cadaver de Litre Quiroga, en una calle de Santiago. Naturalmente, los militares mataron aquella misma noche a los dos prisioneros que quedaban en el Estadio de Chile y luego arrojaron sus cuerpos en la ciudad para que pareciera que habian muerto en un tiroteo callejero...”
Danilo Bartulin concluyo su relato y recordo que estando todavia yo en Santiago los secuaces de la junta divulgaron la version de que el cantante habia atacado con metralleta a una patrulla militar y esta, defendiendose, lo mato.
Pero la unica arma de Victor era la guitarra. A Danilo Bartulin lo torturaron para sonsacarle los datos secretos que podia saber el medico particular del presidente. Pero ¿que “secretos” podia saber el cantante?... A Victor lo torturaron y asesinaron porque odiaban sus canciones. "
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El 10 de septiembre de 1973 recibi una invitacion para la exposicion “Por la vida. Contra el fascismo”, que debia inaugurarse al dia siguiente en la Universidad Tecnica. Alli tenia que intervenir Salvador Allende e iba a cantar Victor Jara.
La vispera vi el enorme afiche de la exposicion. Una madre amamantaba a su criatura y la sombra de ambos estaba bañada de sangre. Era un llamamiento silencioso, pero muy expresivo, a defender la vida contra el fascismo. Victor proponia organizar un viaje de propaganda por el pais para alertar al pueblo. La exposicion antifascista de la Universidad Tecnica tenia que marcar el comienzo de esta accion.
| Pero el 11 de septiembre la exposicion no se inauguro. Salvador Allende hizo aquel dia su ultimo llamamiento al pueblo y no en el Foro Griego de la Universidad, sino en el palacio de La Moneda, rodeado por los putchistas. | Allende hizo aquel dia su ultimo llamamiento al pueblo |
Los putchistas se apoderaron de todas las fuerzas armadas. Despues de la dimision forzosa de los generales, correligionarios de Carlos Prats, que encabezaban el ejercito de tierra, fueron destituidos de sus cargos el almirante Raul Montero, comandante de la Marina de Guerra, y Jose Maria Sepulveda, director general del cuerpo de carabineros, que no queria sumarse a los putchistas. En las fuerzas armadas se efectuo una limpia de arriba a abajo. Los fascistas lograron convertir a muchos oficiales en ciegos instrumentos del complot, convenciendolos de la necesidad de oponerse a la amenaza de exterminio de los cuadros de mando que, como ellos afirmaban, tramaba la Unidad Popular.
Pinochet encabezo el golpe | El nuevo comandante en jefe, general Pinochet, que en visperas habia jurado fidelidad al presidente Allende, encabezo el golpe. Fascista encubierto con la mascara constitucionalista, Pinochet dio orden de asediar el palacio de La Moneda. |
En estas condiciones Allende no se creyo con derecho a llamar al pueblo inerme a la lucha. Queria evitar un derramamiento inutil de sangre, pero decidio aceptar desigual combate en La Moneda. Sabia que con un puñado de los defensores del palacio no podria alcanzar la victoria militar. Pero el presidente estaba convencido de que el combate que libraria defendiendo el mandato del pueblo, seria una victoria moral y politica de la Unidad Popular. No queria ver derrotada la bandera de la revolucion, sino dejarla bien alta. El mandatario del pueblo prefirio morir arma en mano antes que capitular frente a los putchistas, estaba seguro que su muerte no seria esteril.
Jamas olvidare la firmeza con que hablaba Allende por los microfonos de la emisora comunista Magallanes. Su voz sonaba sobre el estruendo de las explosiones:
| Hice girar la manecilla de la radio portatil. Despues de los ataques aereos las emisoras democraticas fueron callando una tras otra. Pero Magallanes seguia resistiendo. Los putchistas no pudieron interrumpir | ...seguiremos aqui hasta el final... |
| el ultimo discurso de Salvador Allende. Luego escuche la voz familiar del locutor, que dijo: “En cualquier momento nos pueden interrumpir, pero seguiremos aqui hasta el final”. En medio de los cañonazos salio al aire la cancion de Sergio Ortega El pueblo unido, interpretada por Quilapayun. Los que se encontraban en la emisora corearon el estribillo: | |
Quienes estaban junto al microfono sabian que los enemigos abririan fuego contra ellos. Mi radio emitio un chasquido y una detonacion ahogo las voces de los cantantes.
Trate en vano de comunicar por telefono con Radio Magallanes cuando ceso de transmitir. Mientras tanto, en el centro de Santiago se levantaba una nube de humo. Los aviones de los putchistas estaban bombardeando el palacio presidencial.
Victor estuvo en la Universidad, pero no canto desde el escenario, paseaba con la guitarra entre los estudiantes tratando de animarlos. En torno al edificio el aire se estremecia de las rafagas de ametralladora.
Ahora voy a ceder la palabra a los testigos de los ultimos dias de Victor Jara. El dia del golpe lo vio Cecilia Coll, dirigente de la seccion artistica del Departamenteo de cultura e informacion de la Universidad Tecnica. La entreviste en Moscu.
Cecilia Coll: “Victor alcanzo a llegar a la Universidad cuando los militares golpistas ocupaban las posiciones claves en la capital. Pero la situacion todavia era confusa. Victor paso por mi oficina y pregunto:
En espera del posible ataque fue decidido: trasladar a los estudiantes y otros trabajadores de la Universidad a la Escuela de Artes y Oficios. Era un edificio con paredes mas resistentes.
Como si fuera ahora veo el rostro de Victor: llama por telefono de mi oficina a su esposa Joan.
Victor siempre fue un hombre del deber. Y los siguio siendo en esta peligrosa situacion.
Despues sufri mucho por su muerte. Me senti de algun modo culpable ante el. No podia perdonarme el no haberlo mandado entonces a su casa. Debi hacerlo. Aunque mas tarde los soldados ya emplazaban ametralladoras pesadas en los techos de los edificios cerca de la Universidad, pero hasta el toque de queda todavia era posible salir. Sin embargo, yo pensaba: en la calle lo pueden identificar y matar...”
| Por la noche la Universidad fue rodeada por soldados en carros blindados. Toda la noche estuvieron preparandose para el ataque como si tuvieran delante una fortaleza militar. Despues del intenso cañoneo, los soldados irrumpieron en el edificio | los soldados irrumpieron en el edificio |
| y emprendieron a culatazos con los estudiantes. El camarografo Hugo Araya, que habia venido a filmar la inauguracion de la exposicion, se situo con su camara frente a los “vencedores” triunfantes. Y casi al instante un balazo lo mato. A Victor junto con otros estudiantes lo obligaron a tenderse en el suelo boca abajo. | |
Durante varias horas los soldados pisoteaban con sus botas a la gente tendida, sin dejar que se levantasen hasta que llego la orden de trasladar a los “prisioneros” de la Universidad Tecnica al Estadio de Chile que, al igual que el Nacional, recibia a los prisioneros cautivos.
Salvador Allende murio en su puesto, con las armas en la mano | ...Poco despues del golpe contrarrevolucionario fascista en Chile la prensa del mundo entero publico la ultima foto de Salvador Allende. En esta secuencia historica el “compañero presidente” en el palacio cercado por los putchistas parece un soldado ante el combate, la cabeza tocada con un casco y empuñando la metralleta en la diestra. El rostro del presidente, igual que el de los valientes defensores de La Moneda que lo acompañan, tiene una grave expresion. Salvador Allende murio en su puesto, con las armas en la mano. |
Me interese por el hombre que aparecia en la foto al lado de Allende. Conversando con los chilenos me entere que se trataba del medico particular de Salvador Allende, un tal Danilo Bartulin (nieto de emigrados yugoslavos). El 11 de septiembre de 1973 Bartulin fue testigo de las ultimas horas de vida del presidente en el edificio de La Moneda, presa de las llamas.
Por inverosimil que parezca, Danilo se salvo por milagro y emigro de Chile. Me entreviste con el en Mexico, donde estuve en 1976 por artes del periodismo. Danilo Bartulin me hablo del ultimo combate del “compañero presidente”. La conversacion ya concluia cuando supe una noticia inesperada. Danilo Bartulin paso junto con Victor Jara los ultimos dias de vida del cantante en el Estadio de Chile.
La entrevista termino ya entrada la noche. Danilo hablaba pausadamente, con esfuerzo. Lo escuchaba sintiendo que un dolor inextinguible me oprimia el corazon. Reproduzco el relato de Danilo Bartulin.
relato de Danilo Bartulin
El comandante Manrique, un fascista empedernido, se acerco a mi, desabrocho la funda, saco la pistola y apuntandome a la cabeza dijo:
Y dirigiendose a los soldados ordeno:
Me apartaron del grupo y me dieron un empujon que me tiro por la tierra. Vi a un grupo de jovenes que los soldados iban arreando, apuntandolos con metralletas.
Al comandante le dijeron:
Los pusieron en fila tambien. Manrique recorrio la fila y señalo con el dedo a un preso:
No queria dar credito a mis ojos. Se trataba de Victor Jara. Varios soldados se animaron: “Aqui esta el cantante Jara...”. Pero el oficial les corto:
Esa calificacion era suficiente para justificar el asesinato.
Poco despues a Victor y a mi nos separaron de otros prisioneros y nos metieron en un pasillo frio. Estuvieron pegandonos desde las siete de la tarde hasta las tres de la madrugada. Nos encontrabamo tumbados en el suelo sin poder movernos. Estabamos aislados de otros presos politicos. A eso de las tres de la madrugada vino un teniente que me invito a sentarme. Empezo a preguntarme sobre Allende y me tendio un cigarrillo. Fume. Mientras tanto, Victor seguia tendido en el suelo. Le entregue la mitad del cigarrillo, puesto que el teniente no quiso dar otro a Victor.
Casi tres dias estuvimos juntos Victor y yo en el Estadio de Chile. A nosotros casi no nos daban de comer. Engañabamos el hambre con agua. Victor tenia la cara llena de moretones y un ojo cerrado por la hinchazon.
| Conversamos mucho en ese tiempo, Victor me hablo de su familia, de su mujer y sus hijas a quienes queria mucho, de sus espectaculos en el teatro y de las nuevas canciones que soñaba hacer... En el mismo estadio donde nos tenian presos, a Victor le habian aplaudido cuando gano el concurso de la Nueva Cancion Chilena en el festival. | En el mismo estadio donde nos tenian presos, a Victor le habian aplaudido cuando gano el concurso de la Nueva Cancion Chilena |
Aqui interrumpo la grabacion de mi conversacion con Danilo Bartulin para completarla con los testimonios de otros ex-prisioneros del Estadio de Chile, a quienes tambien entreviste.
Rolando Carrasco, ex-director de la radio sindical Luis Emilio Recabarren:
relato de Rolando Carrasco
“Dos veces vi a Victor en el Estadio de Chile. Fueron unos encuentros breves. El 13 o 14 de septiembre, por lo visto, por la mañana, pase cerca del pasillo donde tenian a los prisioneros aislados. Alli estaba Victor Jara, sentado en una silla de madera, extenuado, con rastros de azotes en la frente y las mejillas. Se sonrio al verme. Nos saludamos. Al dia siguiente pase de nuevo por alli y otra vez nuestras miradas se cruzaron. Nos saludamos. Al igual que el dia anterior, su rostro se ilumino con una sonrisa que me reconforto el alma. ¡Llevaba ya tanto tiempo en este maldito pasillo! De vez en cuando los guardias venian por el y se lo llevaban a no se donde.Ahora era dificil imaginar que todavia el 10 de septiembre estuvieramos bromeando alegremente en la emisora. En los estudios Victor y yo escuchabamos la grabacion de su nueva canion: Marcha de los constructores. El disco tenia que salir pronto. Jara queria que la emisora de la Central Unica de Trabajadores fuera la primera en transmitir esta marcha, compuesta a peticion de los obreros de la construccion. El 11 de septiembre nuestra emisora fue saqueada por los golpistas al negarse a obedecer a la junta fascista. Al ver a Jara en el estadio, pense con amargura que seguramente aquella ultima grabacion de Victor habria sido destruida y el disco no saldria... Victor estaba reservado y callado, mientras que en mi memoria sonaba la voz del cantante...”
A veces los verdugos dejaban en paz a Victor Jara y Danilo Bartulin, porque tenian demasiado “trabajo” en el estadio. Despues de torturarlo, parecia que se habian olvidado del artista. Fue el propio Victor que paso o casualmente lo enviaron con otros prisioneros. He aqui lo que me conto Carlos Orellana, ex-colaborador del Departamento de cultura e informacion de la Universidad Tecnica, que fue detenido junto con Jara:
relato de Carlos Orellana
“Normalmente en el estadio anunciaban por los altavoces el apellido del prisionero ordenandole presentarse en tal o cual lugar. Pero a Jara lo vino a buscar un soldado. En este momento Victor estaba sentado entre Boris Navia, jurista de la Universidad, y yo. El soldado se acerco silenciosamente y sin pronunciar una palabra toco el hombro de Victor haciendole señas para que los siguiera. Tanto yo, como otros prisioneros teniamos la impresion de que los militares no querian decir en voz alta que a Jara se lo llevaban a alguna parte... Cuando el cantante se levanto -seguramente, no pensaba volver sano y salvo- tuvo tiempo de sacar del bolsillo una hoja arrugada de papel y se la dio furtivamente a Boris Navia. Era el poema Estadio de Chile, compuesto por Victor.
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