Full Frame: Men of Letters

Every year heavyweights in the world of literature and academia meet in Cartagena, Colombia. The Hay festival is a place for cultural exchanges, as well as a place to celebrate world class literature and journalism. It’s all about education and development.   

During its 18th edition, 180 participants from 21 different countries gathered for what’s considered one of the most important literature festivals in Latin America. 

The Literary Capital of Gabo’s World

“Garcia Marquez is identified with the concept of magical realism and people normally think in the magical aspect but journalism helped him to dig in reality and to bring out the stories.” Said Jaime Abello in an interview with Full Frame.

Jaime Abello, Jose Salgar, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Credit: FNPI, Libardo Cano.

Jaime Abello is the CEO and co-founder of the Gabo foundation. He was invited by the Nobel laureate himself, to help him carry out one of his most ambitious life projects. Garcia Marquez’ goal was to foster better informed citizens by training the new generations of journalists through an ethical yet creative style of writing. Jaime shares the story of how the discipline of Nobel Laureate, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, helped him amass an amazingly impressive literary legacy.  

The Cart of Literacy: Martin Murillo’s Story of Encounters

Throughout the centuries Cartagena has served as the backdrop for many tales. The locals continue this tradition of story-making by writing their own life stories.    

“I wanted to promote reading and be someone useful to society.” That statement became Martin Murillo’s goal in life. He is a beloved man in this Colombian port city. His story is the story of coincidences, encounters, failures sprinkled with a whole lot of perseverance. He is a former street vendor turned book lender.    

Dark Human Nature Conveyed Through Passionate Journalism

“It’s very compelling to see history being made in front of your eyes, even if it’s bad history. Bad history can become good history. You develop a kind of feeling of responsibility when you’ve been in a place where people are fighting and dying.” Said Jon Lee Anderson in an interview with Full Frame. He shares the same passion as Gabo when it comes to journalism.

Jon Lee Anderson and Gabo at his Mexico City residence. Credit: Lee Anderson

Anderson’s curiosity to learn more about “organized violence” put him in the trenches of civil wars in Central America, and other international conflicts, in countries around the globe. His works include profiles of the most iconic figures of Latin America.