'Viajando a la Luna' Workshop

Within the framework of ‘De la Luna al museo’ exhibition, where original lunar rocks are on display, Eduardo Frei Montalva House Museum together with the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (National Natural History Museum) and the Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio invite you to take part in the 5^th edition of ‘VIajando a la Luna’ workshop. Its main aim is to foster an up-to-date, didactic view of the 7 Apollo missions, the details of the space travels, and the importance of rockets on them. Registrations here.

The ‘Viajando a la Luna’ workshop will be headed by the writer, scientific reporter, astronomy specialist, teacher and the man in charge of basic astronomy courses, Jorge Ianiszewski. In addition to, he is the ‘Círculo Astronómico’ website designer and editor, and ‘Guía de los cielos australes’ book author, which is already in its 3^rd edition.

This activity includes three levels where children could: 1) See a rocket launch. 2) Get into a room called ‘Sala Espacio’ where kids will be able to understand the functioning of a spacecraft and the stages of the first moon landing through didactic figures. 3) Get to know the last photographs of the lunar panorama revealed by NASA.

‘From the Moon to the Museum’

The lunar rocks

This temporary exhibition is located within a giant rocket –similar to the ones used by NASA- with fragments of lunar rocks donated to Chile by the U.S. government after Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 missions, currently becoming part of the Eduardo Frei Montalva House Museum and Museo Nacional de Historia Natural collection respectively. In 2009, both institutions joined to bring to life a unique exhibition that will be on display for free until April 2012 at Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio.

For further information call (+562) 881 86 74 or contact us at: contacto@casamuseoeduardofrei.cl

We welcome your support and help spreading the word.

Eduardo Frei’s Presidential Sash

Eduardo Frei Montalva House Museum, supporting Museo Histórico Nacional and the exhibition called ‘Símbolos de Honor. Bandas y condecoraciones,’ provided the sash Eduardo Frei Montalva used during his term of office, which currently takes part of the permanent collection of the House Museum. Over 350 heritage objects belonging to former president and his family are included in this permanent collection, highlighting dresses, awards, pictures, and a private Chilean painting collection.

Museo Histórico Nacional (MHN) exhibition gathers important diplomatic awards and Chilean presidential sashes, allowing visitors to get to know from the O’Higgings’ cummerbund and sashes belonging to 19^th and 20^th century presidents, to sashes belonging to Eduardo Frei Montalva, Salvador Allende, Augusto Pinochet, Patricio Aylwin, Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, Ricardo Lagos, Michelle Bachellet and the current President, Sebastián Piñera.

The MHN shows part of its collection of Chilean presidential sashes and diplomatic awards through the 49 objects on display. These symbols –given to different national representatives worldwide– stand out mainly due to its important heritage value, beauty, and representativeness. This exhibition, inaugurated on November 24^th, 2011, will be open to the public until March 2012 at Salón Gobernadores in MHN.

Maite Gallego, House Museum Assistant Director, receiving a MHN award

This time, the collection on display becomes the witness of the diverse bonds achieved by presidents and diplomats, representing Chile on the international scene, from independence until today.

Eduardo Frei Montalva House Museum is grateful to Museo Histórico Nacional for the award received by contributing to the exhibition with part of our collection, witnessing our history of Republic.

The Museo Histórico Nacional (MHN) is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 hrs to 17:30 hrs; continuous schedule. Rates: CLP$600 Adults, CLP$300 seniors, university students, and delegations. School students free entrance. Free entrance on Sundays.

]]> http://www.casamuseoeduardofrei.cl/site-eng/2012/01/eduardo-frei%e2%80%99s-presidential-sash-on-display-at-the-mhn/feed/ 0 http://www.casamuseoeduardofrei.cl/site-eng/2012/01/object-of-the-month-gifts-received-after-chilean-nationalization-of-copper-industry/ http://www.casamuseoeduardofrei.cl/site-eng/2012/01/object-of-the-month-gifts-received-after-chilean-nationalization-of-copper-industry/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:47:17 +0000 Casa Museo http://www.casamuseoeduardofrei.cl/site-eng/?p=3767 During January 2012, Eduardo Frei Montalva House Museum will particularly exhibit the gifts given to Eduardo Frei Montalva by Chuquicamata, El Teniente, and Río Blanco mines, after 46 years of the publication of the Chilean Nationalization of Copper Law.

Display items

Part of the current collection kept by the only House Museum dedicated to a former president, lets us glimpse the deep transformations the country lived during Eduardo Frei Montalva’s administration (1964 – 1970). One of these objects is the commemorative scissors used to launch El Teniente deposit, kept by the former president in a special display at the library of the first floor, place known as ‘La Moneda Chica’.

Historically, the Nationalization of Chilean Copper –together with the ‘Reforma Agraria’ (Agrarian Reform) and ‘Promoción Popular’ (Social Promotion)- marked a significant change in social and economic terms. The final aim of this measure was to get the government involved in the exploitation and commercialization of this precious mineral from Chile, along with improving the quality of life for country’s miners and their families.

Eduardo Frei Montalva inaugurating Minera Andina

“If agriculture is and is meant to be able to ensure life in peace and independence, mining is and is meant to be the decisive instrument in our battle through world markets; (…) Besides the effort implied when trying to feed ourselves, there is no existent media as dramatic, important and deep to take over our development as mining exportation” stated Eduardo Frei Montalva with conviction from the times of his presidential candidacy (1).

The former president went through the country on many occasions, communicating his government’s plans and observing on site, the profound transformations Chile was experiencing during his mandate. As a result of this vision, some of the established goals in his government regarding to extraction, manufacture, and commercialization of copper were:

• The widest possible participation of Chilean government in the increase of production.
• To ensure the maximum employment for Chileans workers involved in the copper industry, as well as ensuring the conditions of justice, safety and welfare.
• Trade of the precious mineral with all the countries around the globe, without any other limitation than the interest Chile may have.

In order to materialize the aforementioned process during his mandate, the following legislations were enacted: ‘Chileanisation of Copper’ (1966) and ‘Agreed-upon Nationalization’ (1967). This situation triggered a two-phase process that changed the copper industry at a national level, which continues to influence it up to today.

The first stage counted on the creation of Corporación del Cobre (precursor of the current Codelco), institution responsible for supervising the production and international sale, representing Chile in Sociedades Mineras Mixtas (Mixed Mining Join-stock Company). In order to be classified as a mixed join-stock company, the government had to acquire at least a 25% stake.

Commemorative plaque given by Chuquicamata miners

The second stage started to be implemented in 1969, where the Chilean government purchased 51% of the shares in the American company called ‘Anaconda Company’, which covered Chuquicamata, El Salvador, and Potrerillos mines.

When Eduardo Frei Montalva left office, the Chilean government played a decisive role in the direction, commercialization, and refining of Chilean copper. These interventions regarded the technical and commercial conditions of the world market, and also brought about a substantial increase in copper production from 617,000 tones in 1964 to 1,000,000 tones in 1970.

We invite you to get to know part of the gifts given to the former president by mining deposits, connecting us with the deep transformations the country experienced in economical, political, and social terms as the ‘Chilenisation of Copper’.

• Tours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 hrs – 06:00 hrs.
• Address: 683 Hindenburg, Barrio Italia, Providencia
• Phone: (02) 881 86 74
• Email: contacto@casamuseoeduardofrei.cl
• Object of the month: Free entrance
• Access to the House Museum: Adults CLP$ 1,300 | Students, children, and seniors CLP$ 700.

(1) Comando Nacional Candidatura Eduardo Frei Montalva. Chile 1964-1970. Santiago, 1964. p.  26

This museum was declared a National Monument in 2005 and maintains all of its cultural heritage. More than 350 objects and 3,600 bibliographic volumes comprise its exhibitions. Visitors will be able to observe: textiles, pictorial works, coin collections and decorations. As well as furniture, decorative and household objects, such as: tableware, cutlery, glassware, platters. Also included are: clothing, personal and family photographs and personal items of the former President and his family.

Visitors will be surprised by the “Moneda Chica” (Small Moneda Palace”). It was the room where President Eduardo Frei Montalva, held meetings with various political and cultural figures, among them: Queen Elizabeth II, Salvador Allende and Gabriela Mistral.

Another oustanding element of the museum is the dining room, whose decoration has been mantained the same as the day when the former President received Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of Edinburgh.

We’ll be waiting for your visit!

Visit of senior citizens from Talca.

Address: Hindenburg 683, Providencia.

Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays 10:00 – 6:00 pm.

Guided Tour duration: 40 minutes approximately.

Admission Price: $ 1300 pesos. Senior Citizens: $ 700 pesos.

For more information please call: 881 86 74

E-mail: contacto@casamuseoeduardofrei.cl

Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2012

2011 is coming to an end and Eduardo Frei Montalva House Museum wishes to thank all its visitors for being with us: Students, Academics, Seniors, Children and Press. We look forward to your continued support on the activities and challenges in the coming 2012.

Our warm and sincere wishes on behalf of the only House Museum dedicated to a former Chilean president, with over 350 heritage objects, a private collection of Chilean paintings, original furniture, historical and photographic archives, along with educational resources.

Eduardo Frei Montalva House Museum Staff.

• Address: 683 Hindenburg, Barrio Italia, Providencia, Santiago.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00 hrs.
• For further information: (56 -2) 881 86 74.
• Open all year around (except in February).
• *All tours are guided.
• E-mail: contacto@casamuseoeduardofrei.cl

Objects in exhibition

As usual, Eduardo Frei Montalva House-Museum will exhibit a new Object of the Month highlighting a different facet of the former President. In this opportunity we will get to know his leadership and international prestige by means of several writings and a picture as member of the Brandt Commission. These items will be exhibited in a glass cabinet located in the central hall of the museum so the public can directly appreciate them.

Once Eduardo Frei Montalva left the Presidence in 1970, Eduardo Frei Montalva’s public life did not stop. On the contrary, his broad experience as congress delegate and his being a former President will take him to perform a series of international journeys, reporting his deep knowledge in economic, political and social subjects, which still remain.

Even though the former President was internationally recognized since the 50s, his participation in the Brandt Commission between 1977 and 1981 was the zenith of his intellectual career.  The said commission, created by the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and Nobel Peace Prize (1971) Willy Brandt, had the purpose of gathering a number of international experts that represented the entire world, so they could contribute to the resolution of economic and social issues between developed and developing countries.

The Commission was headed by Brandt and was composed of 17 members, being Frei Montalva, along with Rodrigo Botero, former Treasurer of Colombia, and Shridtah Ramphal, former International Affairs Minister of Guyana, the three Latin-Americans called.

The panel had eleven sessions in different countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Mali, the United States and Malaysia, concluding that the contemporary world presents clear inequalities due to new problems that affect societies and the failure of the economic system.  “The effort has not conduced to solve the underlying problem: The gap between the nations of high development and the rest of the world”, expressed Frei Montalva in the context of an international economic landscape that he identified as full of malaise and uncertainty.

However, the former President concludes with a constructive vision stating that “the international cooperation is an irreplaceable contribution to the solution of the underlying problems of these countries, as long as they are able to correct and assume their deficiencies in order to carry out the economic and social development with their people’s participation”.

The original report, along with the Spanish version and other books that aroused from the Brandt Report, form part of the personal library of the former President, located in the House Museum.

We kindly invite you to know in depth the leader of opinion facet of the former President, which is internationally known and we mean to highlight through this exhibition.

Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 hrs – 18:00 hrs.

Address: 683 Hindenburg Street, Barrio Italia, Providencia.

Phone: (02) 881 86 74

Email: contacto@casamuseoeduardofrei.cl

Object of the month: FREE ENTRANCE.

Access to the House Museum: Adults $1,300. Students, seniors and children $700

Old telephone the former President acquired

Among the most unknown aspects about Eduardo Frei Montalva were his peculiar aesthetic curiosity and the time he used to spend decorating his house. Indeed, keeping a cozy atmosphere at the different resting, work, and meeting places was important for him. These details are clearly reflected in the House-Museum’s furniture, private works of art collection, engravings, and decor items.

The desk and library of the house that sheltered Eduardo Frei for over forty years bear witness to the taste for historicist styles, standing out the English George IV Mahogany Canterbury Music Stand, together with the Portuguese Neo-baroque Carved Jacaranda Desk. The latter was acquired –in a poor state– in an antiquary located at San Pablo Street getting to Matucana Street. However, the former president had the vision to restore it and fix it. Currently, it is one of the most admired objects at the House-Museum.

Eduardo Frei Montalva with his family in "La Moneda Chica"

At his Library –meeting point and reception hall for authorities-, which was well-known as the “Moneda Chica” (Small Mint Palace), a Louis Philippe Mahogany Veneered Cabinet Secretaire stands out, where the original old telephone is -object to be especially exhibited for the first time during November-.

However, where do these hobbies and good taste come from? It is said that the former president was a frequent visitor of antiquaries, and it is also said he was advised by Ramón Eyzaguirre, auctioneer of a famous auction house founded in 1890 in Santiago. He also stored objects that could possibly like him.

Furthermore, the travels through Europe, the United States, and different Latin-American countries during his term as a Senator –and during his subsequent presidency- became also an opportunity to acquire different décor objects and heritage items. These items were given by other heads of state and can be observed in the House-Museum together with original engravings by Giovanni Battista Piranesi –famed eighteenth-century Italian engraver-. On the other hand, religious figures from Quito reveal the interest shown by Eduardo Frei Montalva in the different artistic expressions.

Old telephone in the library

Eduardo Frei Montalva House-Museum invites you to experience this “Object of the month” that will give you an insight into the artistic and cultural facet of the former President, which is reflected in the choice of his most private objects.

• Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 hrs. to 18:00 hrs.
• Address: Hindenburg 683 Street, Barrio Italia, Providencia
• Telephone Number:  (02) 881 86 74
• E-mail: contacto@casamuseoeduardofrei.cl
• Object of the month: Free entrance.
• Admission Fee: CLP$1300 general public – CLP$700 students, children and seniors.
• All the House-Museum tours are guided.

Objects in exhibition

One of the most interesting characteristics of the former President’s life was his relationship with Arts, labour that he developed in a daily basis through his numerous letters. However, his most important work were the sixteen books that he wrote. He also worked as a journalist for national written media. Some of the magazines and journals where he published his articles were: la Revista de Estudiantes Católicos (Catholic Students Magazine), where he used to analyse social, historical and cultural subjects from a Christian perspective,  Diario Ilustrado (the Ilustrated Journal), Lircay and El Tarapacá, journals where he got to be director. He also wrote for the Política y Espíritu (Politics and Spirit) magazine.

Hist first known article was called “Don Ventura Blanco Viel” (1930) after one of his professors at Catholic University of Chile Law School who had great influence on his formation. The article was published in the Catholic Students Magazine, and one copy is currently printed next to other texts from that time, in addition to the more than 3,500 exemplars divided on the two libraries of the House Museum.

At the beginning of his carrer as a journalist, Eduardo Frei Montalva let people see his social Christian ideas and his opinion of the society. One example is his 1934 article “About the educational issue” that criticised the excessive working load that high school students used to have.   “In our system, students study, study and study. They never have the chance to think. Their memory works, but neither their intelligence nor their character are shaped”

Eduardo Frei Montalva's desk

His experience as a journalist was increasing. It is then when the Ilustrated Journal and Lircay, known afterwards as Verdad and El Mercurio. Those journals requested him to work as a correspondent. His tasks were to inform under his perspective how Europe was being politically and socially configured on the edge of the Second World War. His writing’s editorial line refers to fascism and its incompatibilities with the Christian values that he supported, along with the danger that totalitarian systems involve.

Arriving in Chile in 1934 he becomes the first plant editor of the Ilustrated Journal, where he wrote more than 40 articles.

Working on the aforementioned editorial media, with only 24 years old the young attorney accepts his first important position: Director of El Tarapacá journal from Iquique. The two-year experience acquired at that city will be essential to his later development as an article writer, editor and journalism figure, being involved from the editorial writing to the impression of every copy.

In 1943, the former President already lives with his family in his Hindenburg St. house that is today a museum. His work place was located on the first floor, the current dressing room, where he wrote not only articles, but also letters that he used to exchange with prominent people such as Gabriela Mistral, Jacques Maritian and the Vatican Secretary Monsegnor Giovanni Baptista Montini, who shall later become Pope Paul VI. Years later, in 1965 the Pope gifts him in Rome a Madonna and Child sculpture, which is currently part of the House Museum Collection.

However, with the creation of Política y Espíritu Magazine (1945) Eduardo Frei Montalva eventually makes concrete his project of keeping a close and permanent communication with national public. In this media, the former President was editor and wrote around 30 editorials from his personal perspective, free to inform and form reader’s opinion, transmitting his new social order message. “We defend two essential principles inherent to the dignity of men: Justice and liberty…” -Stated one of his writings.

We kindly invite you to visit the house where Eduardo Frei Montalva lived, to remember part of his history as a writer, where life experiences are combined with political charges and public life, which describe his coherence between writing and intellectual thought.

See you there!

Objects in exhibition

The house on Hinderburg Street –currently the Museum– safeguards flagship objects of the two presidential campaigns and the six parliamentary campaigns of Mr. Eduardo Frei Montalva. Pennants, posters, vinyl discs, cooperation bonuses, support cards, pamphlets, and flyers will be particularly exhibited in the House-Museum’s main hall.

The first Frei Montalva’s candidature was presented in 1937 whilst working as director of El Tarapacá de Iquique newspaper. Also, he published his first book entitled “Chile desconocido” (Unknown Chile) because of the deputation of the first electoral group including Arica, Iquique and Pisagua. This area was extensively visited by the candidate: making speeches, holding meetings and trying to save money necessary to print the ballots.

 Even if Eduardo Frei received 1,545 votes, the highest number in the individual category, the dominant method of proportional representation did not allow him a position at the Chamber of Deputies.

 In 1941, a new opportunity seemed to open so that the young “falange” adherents could join forces when facing the traditional parties. However, the lack of monetary and media support made this challenge a much harder one. Frei Montalva lost the election for the deputation –this time in Santiago–, receiving only 3.4% of the votes.

The Falange Party, four years later, turned 10 years old, and winning the elections was essential to survive, politically speaking. However, the self-confidence shown that their ideas and principles would hopefully give a new boost for Chile, was not reflected in the final results. This became the 3^rd Frei Montalva’s defeat looking for a position in the Lower House.

Nevertheless, Frei Montalva’s luck started changing and months later –at 34 years old– the candidate was chosen as Minister of Public Works in the Juan Antonio Ríos’ government, strengthening his future political popularity.

Working as a Minister, and with the years spent in Iquique, his party named him as Senator Candidate for the 2^nd Constituency of Atacama and Coquimbo for the 1949 election. On March 13^th, Eduardo Frei Montalva finally achieved his first election victory, renewing it in 1957, representing Santiago this time.

Presidential campaign, 1958

The new senator was clear on his future: the 1958 presidential election. This is how Cristián Gazmuri described this campaign: “Actually, the main characteristic of it was the candidate’s endless energy, because he always used to talk off-the-cuff –10 or 12 times a day–, sleeping in moving vehicles, and he never looked tired when the rest was exhausted.[1]”

Finally, Jorge Alessandri was elected as President of Chile. This involved a huge disappointment for the Frei’s adherents. However, thousands of support letters and telegrams were sent to the defeated candidate.

Nonetheless, the aforementioned defeat did not demotivate him. So, he continued to work with energy for the campaign that led him to become the President of Chile in 1964, holding –the previous year– different conferences along the country targeted to  professionals, technicians, women, artists, intellectuals, youngsters, peasants, etc. –who would become the basis of a future government program–.

Frei Montalva tried to reach La Moneda Palace for the second time, a process marked by big events. He gathered 300,000 Chileans at Cousiño Park when finishing the “Marcha de la Patria Joven” (March of the Young Homeland), and also, he filled with people the intersection of Estación Central Street and Ejército Street when closing his campaign. As the picture shows, the candidate waved to the crowd doing the V sign, symbolizing also number 2 –number used in his ballot paper–. Finally, reaching a 56.09%, the Democracia Cristiana Candidate was chosen as President of Chile in the period 1964 – 1970.

Frei Montalva undertook his last election adventure –at 62 years old–, in order to be Senator for Santiago again. He was elected with the national majority vote (28.22%) until the Congressional Dissolution of September, 1973.

We are glad to invite you to visit this exhibition that allows the viewers to remember and reflect on the important and transcendental milestones of Chile.

Object of the Month: “Frei, a persevering candidate”
Date: September 1-30, 2011.
Address: Hindenburg Street #683, Barrio Italia, Providencia.

Time: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 hrs – 18:00 hrs.
FREE ENTRY.

[1] Gazmuri, Cristián. Eduardo Frei Montalva y su época. Santiago, Aguilar, 200. p. 451

The speech given by Eduardo Frei Montalva at the Teatro Caupolicán in August 27th, 1980, is without a doubt one of the most popular and prominent ceremonies highlighted by the press of the time and that of our own time. The typed up speech, only 20-pages long, and currently considered a highly valuable historical document, will be on exhibition in the main hall of our Museum throughout this month.

In order to appreciate the contents and the historical significance of the speech, it is essential to understand that the words said by Frei Montalva before thousands of people, that day of August, represent the focal point of his thought, which he had expressed years before.

In spite of leaving office in 1970, Montalva maintained an active leadership and a strong presence abroad. His participation in the (1) Brandt Commission , an advisory body formed by leaders from different countries around the world, stands out.

Hoy Magazine

After the disruption of democracy in Chile, and given that freedom of speech was no longer guaranteed in the country, Montalva skillfully made use of his strong media presence in international forums, to later introduce his thought in Chile through publications and interviews. This, in turn, made him into a well-known and respected figure among those opposing the Regime. An example of these publications are two of his sixteen books written between 1975 and 1980: “El mandato de la historia y las exigencias del porvenir” and “Futura Institucionalidad para la Paz en Chile”. Both texts reaffirmed the former president’s belief that, in spite of the 1973 crisis, the “historical mandate of Chile” had to be restored, in the sense of preserving the democratic achievementes that had made our national social history stand out since 1883 (the time when the independence of Chile was consolidated).

In the context of the celebration of the first 100-year anniversary of the former president’s birth, the “El mandato de la historia y las exigencias del porvenir” book has been reissued by our Museum and will soon be available for the public.

Frei Montalva’s ideas as an opponent of the Regime made themselves felt in the ‘80s. Six days before the “Caupolicanazo”, as the press of the time called it, the former president sent a letter to the Regime’s Minister of Home Affairs, requesting, in his capacity as former President of the Republic, to be authorized to give a public discourse with a radio and a television network.

The dining room of his house in Hindenburg

The authorization was granted on August 24th–three days before the ceremony–however, with the exception of Radio Cooperativa and Radio Chilena which would broadcast the event live, there would be no media network. Hours before announcing the speech, Frei Montalva arranged an international press conference, which was held in the dining room of his house in Hindenburg street (see picture); a space which remains untouched and is currently open for the public.

 Thousands of people, with different opinions and political orientations, attended what was called “Acto de los Chilenos Libres” (“Ceremony of the Free Chileans”) at the Teatro Caupolicán.

An essential point in his speech was the rejection of any system making power reside in a minority group, even more when that system sustains itself by restricting the basic principles of individual freedom and individual rights, thus breaking the consitutional and democratic normalcy. According to him, totalitarian regimes of any political orientation could only lead to catastrophe.

The former President created not only a speech to say “No” to the Plebiscite–which called citizens to support the 1980 Constitution–but also pointed the path–one in accordance to a democratic perspective–to give people back the power which would guarantee their individual freedom.

We invite you to tour our Museum–the place where this speech was written–to appreciate the contents of this discourse, which, in 20 pages, summarises the former President’s thoughts and allows us to understand, in large part, the social and political context of our recent history.

For the speech in its full length, please visit here

Come and visit our new object of the month!

Free admission.

Location: Hindenburg Street 683, Providencia.

Admission: General Admission: $1300 pesos; students, children and senior citizens: $700 pesos.