A fourth fire, this time of greater intensity than the previous ones, affected the construction of the second stage of GAM yesterday, Friday, November 22. The work, which is a project of the Ministry of Public Works, was violated on Villavicencio Street, where a mob of people entered. There were three fire outbreaks over several hours that were controlled by at least 4 cars from various fire companies in the capital.
In addition, they managed to enter the construction again through Alameda, breaking the protective meshes, destroying electrical panels and stealing materials and tools from the personnel who have tried to protect the area.
The GAM building as a cultural center was not damaged. Programming has been able to slowly resume, at protected times with a billboard specific to the social context called Alameda Abierta thanks to the community of artists and the cultural world that wanted to be a participant. There are plays, circus and music, exhibitions, assemblies, town halls and discussions for citizens.
“Fortunately our current cultural space has been respected, however, what is happening in the construction of the second stage is regrettable because it puts at risk the cultural activity that we are developing,” comments the executive director of GAM, Felipe Mella.
GAM has stated as a cultural center to be active participants in the Chile that is being rewritten and that rejects violations of human rights and restrictions on freedom. It also condemns all types of violence, and today especially, what is happening in the surrounding area and which has workers, neighbors, audiences and artists very concerned.
"We have made all requests to the Municipality of Santiago and the Ministry of Public Works to help us prevent new and greater damage through specific measures. In this way we hope to protect the people and the building that is a bicentennial milestone. In addition, we are specifically concerned about the neighbors, the neighborhood and the night workers who feel violated," adds Felipe Mella.
The institution reports that the artistic programming remains as planned for this weekend, with performances of “La Pérgola de las Flores”, “Lipika” and “Aliento” and closing of the building at 8 p.m.
Published on November 23, 2019.
Photos: Jorge Sánchez.