Miracle of 1972
I was a young girl when I found and read a book on a shelf in my family’s home library, about the Uruguayan rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes Mountains in 1972. It’s an incredible story of humanity and courage, and has remained for decades in the recesses of my memory. Just this week I had the chance to visit a museum that brings to life my memories, and the tragic, miraculous events that took place
The beautiful city of Montevideo is home to Museo de Los Andes 1972, a small museum filled with more artifacts than imaginable to bring together the story of the tragedy, the people involved, and the devastation they faced, over and over again.
Beyond telling the story and honoring the lives of those who died and those who survived, the museum has a clearly stated objective: to share the values that buyoed those who lived: solidarity, teamwork, focus on goals, restraint, support, and resilience. It also honors the creativity they used to adapt to adversity. The museum eloquently teaches how such creativity and values apply in each of our lives and can strengthen individual character and broader relationships.
My profession certainly reminds me of the reality of this tragedy in the Andes, as only twisted pieces of an airplane fuselage can. But the museum does so much more than just present an historic horror story. Timelines show the events of the broader world at the time of the plane crash, to add perspective. The life experience of others who were not involved in the tragedy is included, to deepen meaning (see photo 2). The Chilean cowboy/ peasant who relayed news to the world that two crash survivors had walked out of the mountains and would lead rescuers to the plane wreckage to save the rest is honored as the hero that he is.
Over and over the museum exhibits break the heart AND inspire the soul. If you ever have the chance to go, absolutely do.
Photos:
Two of the players/ survivors and the Chilean man who helped them
A ceramic replica of the plane, made by a disabled man from Wisconsin (zoom in on r text to learn more)
Hood and mittens the survivors crafted from seat cushion covers. Temperatures on the mountain were more than 20 below zero at night.
For more photos see my post on Instagram @reuserhematerialgirl
