Help Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo in their search

In October, Abuelas marked 48 years of struggle and commemorated the anniversary with an event for one thousand people at the Complejo C Art Media. In addition to performances by Los Amados, Victoria Birchner, Hilda Lizarazu and Lito Vitale, and the traditional review of the institution’s annual work, this anniversary was especially meaningful because it featured the first edition of the “Premio Abridores y Abridoras de caminos”.
Abuelas presented this recognition to advocates from various disciplines who have contributed to advancing rights for all citizens: Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, Luis Puenzo, Miguel “REP”, León Gieco, Víctor Penchaszadeh, Teatro por la Identidad, and Madres de Plaza de Mayo – Línea Fundadora.
During the anniversary month, the “I Belong to Abuelas” (“Soy de Abuelas”) campaign was also launched, inviting people from clubs, schools, institutions, unions, and social media to reflect on their own identity. Educational materials were created for schools, a special monthly bulletin was printed featuring a poster with an illustration donated by artist Miguel REP, and a variety of items were produced to support the institution and help expand the number of contributors sustaining the search.
In this context, we carried out a month-long campaign with El Destape, publishing social media pieces explaining how the Abuelas’ different areas and the Board of Directors operate, alongside a promotional spot. The campaign concluded with a special broadcast of the program "Maldita suerte" from the Casa por la Identidad, on the former ESMA.
Over these months, various cultural activities were also held in that space. As part of the “Cinema for Identity” (“Cine por la identidad”) series, we screened "Norita", "Identidad", and "Los fusilados de Racing". In the coming days, we will host a film-debate session centered on the movie "Aún estoy aquí", with writer Marcelo Rubens Paiva.
There were also performances of two theater productions: "Con canto de cigarras" and "La Memoria no se borra", which focuses on the "Night of the Pencils". In addition, the book "Olvidar es imposible" was presented with its author, Sergio Maldonado.
Abuelas also took part in “Museum Night” (La Noche de los Museos), presenting the play "Memoria Futura" and offering two guided tours for the general public at the Casa por la Identidad. Outreach activities also continued through participation in the Almirante Brown and Morón Book Fairs, as well as at concerts by "Agarrate Catalina", "La Delio Valdez", and "Wos", where, in addition to offering our designs, we engaged with audiences to share our ongoing search.
Regarding progress in the pursuit of justice, Abuelas is a plaintiff in a new trial for crimes against humanity against Gonzalo “Chispa” Sánchez, a former ESMA perpetrator. Sánchez, who evaded justice for 15 years, is charged with 193 cases, including 19 related to the search for grandchildren.
In recent months, we also continued to promote the right to identity through guided visits for students from different educational levels and through a new edition of the course “Abuelas y el derecho a la identidad”, offered virtually to around 500 participants between August and November.

This marks the end of an intense year—one of rigorous work and, above all, resistance to the attacks from the Argentine government. None of these efforts would be possible without the support of those who accompany and sustain us in different ways. We extend our heartfelt thanks for your commitment to our struggle.

Links:

• Abuelas marked 48 years of struggle
• "We feel the satisfaction of having fulfilled our duty"

With great joy, Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo announced in July the identity restitution of grandchild number 140, born in captivity at a clandestine detention center in the province of Buenos Aires. He was reunited with his sister, who had never stopped searching for him and is an active member of Abuelas in Mar del Plata's office.
As with every restitution, the news made headlines around the world and led to a surge in calls from people with doubts about their origins or information about possible children of the disappeared.
Each reunion gives us strength to continue the struggle. It is the result of tireless, daily work. But there is still much to be done: there are still 300 men and women who were forcibly disappeared as babies or young children and who have yet to learn the truth about their identity.
To that end, Abuelas continues to carry out a wide range of awareness-raising actions. Among other initiatives, we relaunched the "Cine por la Identidad", featuring screenings and discussions with directors and protagonists at the Casa por la Identidad, located in the former ESMA site, now a memory space. Films shown in recent months included "La búsqueda de Martina", "Ensenada ’55", "La larga noche de Francisco Sanctis", and "Sudeste".
In the same venue, we hosted the "Risas y Abrazos" festival during the winter school holidays, using art, play, and music to connect with potential great-grandchildren of those who were disappeared. We also continued offering guided visits for school groups to engage new generations in the search and to pass on the memory of what happened, as part of our ongoing commitment to "Nunca Más".
Along these lines, we continue to offer our quarterly course "Las Abuelas y el derecho a la identidad", with the first session held in March and the second taking place in August. Each edition has drawn over 600 participants eager to learn more about human rights.
In addition, we are still publishing our monthly institutional bulletin, which in July was distributed both digitally and in print.
These achievements are made possible thanks to the support of a segment of society that remains committed to sustaining the search even in the most difficult times. For this, we thank each and every one of you for your solidarity, and we share with you the joy of each reunion.

Links:

• The announcement of the restitution