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Ana Belén Recites Juan Gelman Poem in Tribute to Spanish Victims of Argentine Dictatorship

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-20

At an event held at the Instituto Cervantes, singer Ana Belén participated in a tribute dedicated to Spanish victims who disappeared during Argentina's dictatorship from 1976 to 1983. She recited lines from a 1995 poem by Argentine poet Juan Gelman, which was part of a letter he wrote to his granddaughter, Macarena. Gelman's son was killed when his wife was seven months pregnant, leaving him unaware of the baby's gender. After two decades of searching, he eventually found his stolen granddaughter. The Spanish government officially recognizes 307 Spaniards who disappeared during that period, acknowledging they gave their lives for democracy. During her recitation, Ana Belén included a reference to Father Fiorelo Cavali of the Vatican's Secretariat of State, who in February 1978 confirmed the birth to Gelman, prompting ongoing questions about the child's fate. The event underscored the personal and historical dimensions of state violence and forced disappearances.

Key facts

  • Ana Belén recited a poem by Juan Gelman at a tribute event
  • The event was held at the Instituto Cervantes
  • It honored Spanish victims of Argentina's 1976-1983 dictatorship
  • The Spanish government recognizes 307 disappeared Spaniards
  • Juan Gelman wrote the poem in 1995 as a letter to his granddaughter Macarena
  • Gelman's son was killed while his wife was seven months pregnant
  • Gelman found his stolen granddaughter after two decades of searching
  • Father Fiorelo Cavali of the Vatican confirmed the birth in February 1978

Entities

Artists

  • Ana Belén
  • Juan Gelman

Institutions

  • Instituto Cervantes
  • Secretaría de Estado del Vaticano

Locations

  • Argentina
  • Spain

Sources