We used the radio, to relive through audio the chilean coup d'état of 11th September, 1973 (the first day of a 17 years dictatorship), just how it happened. Broadcasting more than 10 hours of audio content on one of the AM radio stations that were shut down by Pinochet in 1973. We recovered, edited and organized in chronological order more than 550 audio files from different radios that transmitted what was happening back then, compiling all this material and starting the transmission at 8am to match the minute by minute of which was happening that day.

Chile had one of the bloodiest dictatorships in the history of South America. 17 years where human rights violations happened everyday under the command of general Augusto Pinochet. Until today many families are still looking for their disappeared relatives during that period, but the fact that many of the involved in the coup d’état haven't been judged by their crimes and even some of them are still involved in politics and communications, relativizing and denying the atrocities committed back then and enhancing the figure of Pinochet as a responsible of the good economic situation of the country, have created a sociocultural environment where the younger generations, lacks of empathy with victims of human rights violations.

The following script is part of the first 23 minutes of the 10-hour audio gallery made for The Memory Dial.

SALVADOR ALLENDE (President):

The president’s speaking, from the government palace. Confirmed information points that a seafaring sector have isolated the Valparaíso port occupying the city, which means an uprising against the government, of the legitimately constituted government, the government supported by the law and the will of the citizenship.

In these circumstances, I call all the workers. To attend their jobs, to go to their factories, to keep calm and serenity. Until this moment, in Santiago there’s no extraordinary movement of troops, and according to the garrison chief, Santiago would be quartered and safe.

In any case, I’m here, in the government palace, and I will stay here, defending the government that I represent for the will of the citizenship.

What I wish, essentially, is that the workers keep an eye, stay alert and avoid provocations. First we have to see the response, of the patriotic soldiers who have sworn allegiance to defend the stablished regime which is the voluntary expression of the citizens, and that they will accomplish with the doctrine that give prestige to Chile and to the professionalism of the military forces. In this circumstances, I have the certainty that soldiers will know how to fulfill their duty. Anyway the people and the workers, essentially, must be actively mobilized, but in their job places, listening to the call and the instructions of the president of the republic.

SFX: Distortion.

JOSE TORIBIO MERINO (Admiral):

The Armed Forces, essentially professional organizations, can not remain impassive in the face of the collapse of our country and the desperation of millions of Chileans. This is not a coup d'état, it is a kind of scheme that does not fit with our way of being and disgusts our legalistic conscience and deep civic conviction. We only pursue the restoration of a State of Law in line with the aspirations of all Chileans, whose break has been denounced by the Supreme Court, as well as by the Chamber of Deputies, which is the oversight body and which has made it present in an extensive document. The executive branch has been overwhelmed by circumstances and extremist elements are mercilessly destroying property and lives. The executive power has lacked authority and firmness to control this deranging situation which affects the peaceful coexistence to which Chileans are used to be. This can not continue and it is our firm intention to stop it as soon as possible. We do not have, now or in the future, commitments with any political party. Only the most capable and honest will rule. It is our firmest proposal. Formed in a school of civics, respect for the human person, coexistence of justice and patriotism, no other purpose is pursued other than the happiness of all Chileans, no matter what their position, but who can live in peace, tranquility and without fear of tomorrow, neither of them, nor of their children. Long live to Chile.

SFX: Anthem of the Chilean Navy starts to play.

SFX: ‘Mira niñita’ by Los Jaivas starts to play in one of the local radios.

ANNOUNCER:

Now, Víctor Díaz, the general subsecretary of the communist party, speaks to all the workers of Chile.

VÍCTOR DÍAZ (General Subsecretary of the communist party):

A few minutes ago, we listened to the dramatic words of the president of the republic, Salvador Allende, addressing a message to the workers and to the whole country to stay alert and avoid provocations. Warning and confirming the uprising of the Chilean navy in Valparaíso. This is the confirmation of the call we made last night. The communist party made a call to the workers of our country, to have in consideration the escalation of fascism, with its terrorism and seditious politics to tear down a constitutional government, a government elected democratically. That call we did yesterday, was before a situation that becomes more acute after every day and every minute. That’s why the communist party repeats the words of the president Allende, to all the militants of our party to stay in the factories, in the work stations, in the services, in the neighborhoods, and to be aware to the turn that events take in the minutes that we are living in this moment. We have to be able to block the way to fascism, we have to try to convince all those democratic elements of the opposition. When we made our call we addressed to the Democratic Christian party, which in several opportunities have manifested they will respect the authorities democratically elected, that’s why we address to all workers and to all the country from the democratic Christian party to stay together with us, with the supporters of the government. We believe and consider, what will happen if the seditious coup overthrowns the constitutional government, many years will pass until the people, men or women of our country will have the opportunity to choose freely their future leaders in a democratic election again, no matter if they are from the popular unity or from the Democratic Christian party, because the things that could happen, it’s something that no democratic Chilean would believe. The fascism will establish a dictatorship of terrorism. That’s why I keep repeating to my party to stay alert to the calls that the president of the republic of Chile, Salvador Allende, will make.

ANNOUNCER:

This was the general subsecretary of the communist party, Víctor Díaz. Meanwhile we repeat to all the workers to stay in their work stations, attentive to the instructions that will be delivered by the president himself, Salvador Allende, the popular parties and the central of workers.

SFX: ‘Plegaria al Labrador‘ by Victor Jara starts to play in one of the local radios.

SFX: ‘Balada de las Horas Muertas‘ by Los Iracundos starts to play in one of the local radios.

ANNOUNCER:

The president of the republic is inside the government palace and at the 8:15am, he spoke for the first time to denounce the problems happening in Valparaíso.

SFX: Cut to the tape with the recording of Allende’s first speech.

SALVADOR ALLENDE (President):

The president’s speaking, from the government palace. Confirmed information points that a seafaring sector have isolated the Valparaíso port occupying the city, which means an uprising against the government, of the legitimately constituted government, the government supported by the law and the will of the citizenship.

In these circumstances, I call all the workers. To attend their jobs, to go to their factories, to keep calm and serenity. Until this moment, in Santiago there’s no extraordinary movement of troops, and according to the garrison chief, Santiago would be quartered and safe.

In any case, I’m here, in the government palace, and I will stay here, defending the government that I represent for the will of the citizenship.

What I wish, essentially, is that the workers keep an eye, stay alert and avoid provocations. First we have to see the response, of the patriotic soldiers who have sworn allegiance to defend the stablished regime which is the voluntary expression of the citizens, and that they will accomplish with the doctrine that give prestige to Chile and to the professionalism of the military forces. In this circumstances, I have the certainty that soldiers will know how to fulfill their duty. Anyway the people and the workers, essentially, must be actively mobilized, but in their job places, listening to the call and the instructions of the president of the republic.