Uruguay water crisis: how did we get here?
Uruguay has some of the most abundant water sources in the world. But the capital was told we had water supplies for just 18 days.
Six years after Emir Kusturica, film director and musician, played a show in Belgium dressed in a Uruguay football shirt, his film on the life of former Uruguayan president, and ex guerrilla, Jose Mujica, launched on Netflix.
The BBC declared Guru’Guay’s former president who was in office from 2010 to 2015, the world’s poorest president, in part because he donated about 90% of his monthly to charity. Though Pepe is not universally appreciated in his home country, no one can disagree that he walks the walk and that, combined with his inspirational progressive political discourse internationally, put a spotlight on Uruguay during his term in office and beyond.
The film by Kusturica focuses no only on Pepe’s political activism but his life-long love affair with his wife, Lucía Topolansky. They met during their time in the guerrilla. Lucía is an important politician in her own right, currently Uruguay’s first female Vice President until March 1 2020.
Pepe’s past as a guerrilla—who was captured and held in solitary confinement, including years at the bottom of a well, during Uruguay’s military dictatorship (1973–85)—is the subject of another film that can be seen on Netflix: A Twelve Year Night.
In 2018, El Pepe as he’s known found himself in the Venice Film Festival along side Lady Gaga and Ryan Gosling receiving a standing ovation. “I’m as out of place as a dog in a bowling match,” he confessed in his typical low-key style to local media.
You can watch El Pepe: A Supreme Life on Netflix.
Also check out story: Uruguay president gives hitchhiker ride from 2015
Photo Vince Alongi
Uruguay water crisis: how did we get here?
Uruguay has some of the most abundant water sources in the world. But the capital was told we had water supplies for just 18 days.
Is Uruguay a developed country? Harvard moves Latin America HQ to Uruguay
Harvard University Business School opens Latin American research centre, praising Uruguay living standard and freedom of expression.
Montevideo Carnival 2024 dates
Hot off the press! The world’s longest carnival is in Montevideo Uruguay and we’ve got the dates.
Salón No. 3 – La Barra gourmet cuisine, cafe & deli
Gourmet lunches, speciality coffee & pastries, out of an antiques store. Smoked hams, artisanal cheese & local produce from the Expendio.
Casa Flor – live the Uruguay coast like a local (VIP)
One of the very best hotels in Punta del Este. Casa Flor’s well-connected owners give you access to the secrets of Uruguay’s coast most can only dream of.
Uruguay offers new digital nomad residency
Digital nomads and remote workers can now obtain a residency permit to work legally from Uruguay for six to twelve months.
Big Bang Nature Stays – Bohemian beach domes
Unique ocean-front location to reconnect with nature—with luxury touches—on one of Uruguay’s most deserted beaches in Maldonado.
8% of Uruguay is black—and maybe more
Afro-Uruguayans play a huge part in Uruguay’s cultural identity. Are they really just 8% of the population? The new census may correct the stats.
Gaucho week in Montevideo – Easter
Traditional food, handmade goods, and South American cowboys riding wild horses. It’s the Semana Criolla – Montevideo’s Easter gaucho festival.
Travel to Uruguay: Medical insurance mandatory
There’s been some confusion around whether it’s necessary to have health insurance to enter Uruguay since recent changes to travel requirements. We explain.
Afro-Uruguayans play a huge part in Uruguay’s cultural identity. Are they really just 8% of the population? The new census may correct the stats.
Latin America is associated with Catholicism. As ever Uruguay is the outlier—with complete separation of church and state for over 100 years.
Beaches, classic car races and a bargain therapy session. We were delighted to get this email from one reader after his vacations in Uruguay.
Montevideo is often overshadowed by Buenos Aires. Three well-travelled bloggers tell what made them fall in love with South America’s off-the-radar capital.
Despite its pint size population, Uruguay has one of the most successful national teams in footballing history.
Dance tango in Uruguay. Especially if you are a beginner or intermediate tango dancer, the tango scene in Montevideo is much friendlier than Buenos Aires.
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One Response
A very moving film and cleverly produced, never seen anything like it other than maybe Papillion. Makes you marvel at the resilience of the human spirit.