Canada, Bahia and Malvinas, joined in a storybook

By Pablo Andrés Álvarez / [email protected]

Born in our city 70 years ago, Guillermo Panulos spent his entire life as a writer outside the country.

In Canada (where he lives with his family in Alistair, Ontario) since 1978, the proximity of the 40-year war in Malvinas prompted him to write his new work: “Victoria”, a storybook already on sale in bookstores in Bahía Blanca.

“This work is a humble tribute to all Argentine fighters and, in particular, to the team members of ARA General Belgrano Cruz,” said Don Bosco, a former student at the school and later a lawyer at the university. Buenos Aires.

Guillermo, founder and director of the International Language Center of Canada, is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Realcap Holdings Ltd. in Toronto and translator on the Network of Progressive International Translators.

“This is the first time I have published a book with my own stories. Most of my previous works have been compiled. Victoria took a lot of time for me and I learned a lot during this time, “he pointed out.

Carlos Bellardinelli, a plastic artist from Bahia, designed the cover of the book, which was published in our country – on paper and in digital format – by the publisher Autores de Argentina.

“Beyond the distance, Bahia is very present at work. There is even an excerpt of five stories entitled ‘Relatos Bahienses’; this is where I present my childhood memories in the city,” he said.

As he said, there are plenty of references to the early period at the Don Bosco School; His youth and summer experiences at Monte Hermoso.

“Although many in my generation appear in disguise, there are places and characters that are recognizable. Some of the stories are dedicated to the notable and beloved Bahienses, for example the story of “El Sable” pays homage to Dr. Mario Serrano, who was delighted to meet him and I shared with him special moments “.

Another story is of paying homage to his maternal grandparents in a Bahia Blanca in the early 20th century.

“There are also places that reflect the characters I’ve met in different countries and some of the stories bear the label of original people, while others are generally Canadian in urban or rural contexts,” he added.

–How did you come up with the idea of ​​Victoria?

–Catalyst is the story that a friend shared with me several days ago when I visited Bahia Blanca a few years ago. Sergio Canulo, an officer on the ARA General Belgrano cruise ship, told me directly about his experiences during the dramatic moments when the torpedoes hit the ship. South Atlantic ..

“Then, I added a creative piece to the story that weaves together other stories and other characters.”

It should be made clear that Victoria is not a naval diary, but instead Guillermo tries to preserve the strong unity of the entire fleet at an exceptionally dramatic moment.

“Victoria is the most important story in a collection of twenty – five stories from the book of the same name,” he said.

–How did you personally experience the Falklands War?

–Surprisingly. I can say that one of my stories in the book Victoria is self-reference because it unravels the fears, emotions, confusions and thoughts of a young Argentine studying in Canada during the 1982 war.

“I tried to make sure that the message of Victoria’s story reflected the theme of John Lennon’s image and the sense of a string quoted in the book. The quote is important, especially when we see the most tragic conflict in Eastern Europe. The story of Victoria, in the final analysis, pretends to be an ointment.

– Do you still have contact with our city?

–I go to Bahia because I have family and very dear friends. As happens often to many of us, I see the city fading from that Bahia Blanca that existed in the early sixties. I feel lucky to have enjoyed the simple things like the fish or ice merchants on the street, the sharpener with his flute, the little train to Calvan Spa, and the relentless movies on Saturdays at the Union Ferrovier Theater. I have briefly reflected on this in some of my stories in the book Victoria.

The first steps

“A few years ago, Dr. Margarita Feliciano, director of the Andres Publishing House in Toronto, suggested that I start writing. I had no inspiration to write because I did not know what to write at the time. Thinking it would be nice to share, that’s how my first story was born, which I include in the work entitled “About the Viceroy and Other Herbs”.

He wrote other short stories, which were published in various collections by York University, Glendon College, Andres Publishing House, Canada.

Prior to its publication, some works were read at literary or patriotic events, such as the bicentennial celebrations of the Declaration of Independence in the presence of Argentine embassy officials. In the last ten years he has written 33 works.

Summary

Young Eduardo Sosa is ready for emergency surgery in an operating room. In London, Ms McCormack is preparing to celebrate her husband’s birthday. Two events thousands of miles away and socially unrelated are the origin of the story, which ultimately reveals the close relationship of its protagonists. In the story of “Victoria”, humanity, courage and the innocence of the characters help to alleviate the deep sadness caused by the war and suggest the epic of a new hope.

The Victoria book is available at Don Quijote, Henry and XOOK bookstores in our city.