UTLMO Conference: Pepe Mujica, the florist of political life

Description

Through the life of this exceptional man, we will attempt to understand a conception and practice of politics that has made this humble man, born in a small southern country, one of the major political references at the beginning of the 21st century. José Mujica was the leader of one of Latin America's most exceptional guerrilla experiences, political prisoner for almost 15 years, deputy, senator, minister, President of the Republic (Uruguay). He has always lived on his small farm on the outskirts of Montevideo, where he has never stopped growing flowers alongside his wife, Lucia Topolanski (also a guerrilla, legislator and Vice-President of the Republic). Denis Merklen is a sociologist. He is a professor at the Sorbonne and Director of the Institut des hautes études de l'Amérique latine de Paris (IHEAL). He has conducted research in Argentina, China, France, Haiti, Senegal and Uruguay.

He is interested in the political life of the working classes. He is the author of numerous books, including Les indispensables. Sociologie des mondes militants (2023), L'Uruguay de José Mujica (2014), Pourquoi-brûle-t-on des bibliothèques (1st edition 2013), Detrás de la línea de la pobreza. La vida en los barrios pobres de Montevideo (1st edition 2019) In Search of the Working Classes. A political essay (2016). 3 p.m. at the Estran cinema in Marennes.