Book launch: “Una maleta colombiana”, a written testimony of Colombian exile
Colombia’s Truth Commission and its support groups across more than twenty countries, among them Germany, have organised an online presentation of the book entitled “Una maleta colombiana” (A Colombian Suitcase), to be held on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. (Colombia) and 5:00 p.m. (Europe).
The dialogue will be between Commissioner Lucía González, Commissioner and author of the publication Carlos Martín Beristain and some of the voices of Colombian victims in exile. They will be joined by Father Francisco de Roux, President of the Truth Commission. Other guests include Fabián Salvioli, United Nations rapporteur for the right to truth, justice, reparation and non-repetition; Helena Villaga, Eduardo Galeano, and Carlos Andrés Pérez, activist and social leader, who is part of these stories told through words and images. The event will also feature texts, videos and reflections on the book and Colombian exiles based in different parts of the world.
Follow the event on the Truth Commission’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
With a foreword by Colombian writer Héctor Abad Faciolince, the text is a contribution based on the work of Colombia’s Truth Commission, through short stories which are full of humanity and lessons learned from exiled victims, those who provided their testimonies and those who are still silent. These are testimonies of victims who have resisted being torn apart and forgotten for decades. The publication is the result of two years of travels, encounters, stories, reflections, and feelings of Colombians in exile.
In the context of the CAPAZ-supported project and with a view to contributing to the “Stabilising peace in Colombia through justice and truth”, the Colombian Truth Commission’s support group in Germany – Nodo Alemania – receives academic, administrative and communications support from CAPAZ to provide information about the mandate of the Truth Commission in Germany. It also lends information, education and psychosocial support to Colombians living in Germany who are victims of or have knowledge of events in the context of the Colombian armed conflict.
Visit the website of the Truth Commission’s European support groups backed by CAPAZ: www.comisionverdadcol-eu.org
Note: CAPAZ is not the coordinator for this event. To find out more please contact the organisers directly.
(NW: Claudia Maya, from the Truth Commission. English: Tiziana Laudato)