The Day for the Missing People

I must apologise that I don't remember exact dates of my trip, I normally write the date down but sometimes I forget, but I know the week terrible memory.

Anyway, recently there it was the 32nd anniversary of the people who went missing during the dictatorship of Pinochet, and there was an exhibition in the grounds of the governmental palace, La Moneda which I decided to go and visit. 

in order to be able to prosecute they stated that their relatives were not murdered but were kidnapped and still missing in order for those accused to come to trial for their actions

There was a very strange, sad and respectful atmosphere there.  It reminded me of when Matthew told me about when he went to visit Hiroshima in Japan.  That eerie feeling, which you are unable to describe, can only imagine and certainly never understand.  Despite the music and stools situated behind the palace and the noise of city life it all seemed to nothingness in comparison.  Within the small park cardboard cut-outs of those gone missing lined the perimeter stating their name, age and occupation.  Many were very young.  Within the centre was newspaper clippings from the time of dictatorship and after, including photos of the perpetrators of these horrific crimes. 

As I told you before I am learning more and more about this time which still is so near in years and memory that this part of history is still not taught in schools, and is not frequently spoken of.  Felipe told me something else that I did not know.  When the families of the victims tried to obtain justice and prosecute those who had stripped them of their flesh and blood the law would not permit it because of the amount of years which had passed.  Instead, in order to be able to prosecute they stated that their relatives were not murdered but were kidnapped and still missing in order for those accused to come to trial for their actions.  Extremely interesting.

On that note the sun has as nearly set and I am going to do some more shopping before the shops close and enjoy the beauty of spring.