Film about ‘Mexican Schindler’ Presented at TAMIU Thursday

The Instituto Cultural de Mexico-Laredo and TAMIU will host the free presentation of the Spanish language film “Visa al Paraíso” on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre.

The documentary film’s director, Lillian Liberman, will be present.

“Visa al Paraíso” shares the little-known story of Gilberto Bosques Saldivar, a Mexican diplomat who as French Consul in the Spanish Republican Civil War is credited with the rescue of nearly 45,000 Jews and other refugees from Nazi persecution. He provided economic support, lodging, visas, and chartered ships to take Jews and other refugees to various African nations. They would then be transported to new lives in Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. Bosques has been called the “Mexican Schindler.”

Along with his family and about 40 consular staff members, he was arrested by the Germans in 1943 and held near Bonn until Mexico reached an agreement with the Nazis for his release. The U.S. government negotiated the release in exchange for German prisoners. All were repatriated to Mexico via New York in a ship bringing home wounded American soldiers.

Other event sponsors include El Mañana, Univisión 27, La Posada, El Mesón de San Agustín and Mariachi Express.

For additional information, contact the Office of the Consul de México at 723-0990.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu