Solidarity Bridge

The Libertador General San Martin Bridge, which links the Argentine city of Gualeguaychú with the Uruguayan city of Fray Bentos, had been blocked for four years. The challenge: sending a message of peace and union between the peoples . That is why, on April 17, 2010, we played a rugby match, the first half on the Argentine side of the river, the second half on the Uruguayan side, and the symbolic third half on top of the bridge. Even the assembly members participated, opening the way and letting us pass to play.
Finally, we held a giant scrum under a sign reading: “Chilean brothers, this scrum is pushing for you”. Our neighboring country bothers had suffered a terrible earthquake and, with this action, we all pushed towards the same side to help them. We collected toys, gifts, water and food and also, Argentine children sent support letters to Chilean children.
“Our school was always characterized by its solidarity and this was more than enough reason to get to work. The mission was to write letter and make little bags with candy to send our support to the children in Chile. School authorities, teachers, aides and students participated with great enthusiasm”. Claudia Verdalle, Teacher.
“It had been four years since nobody could go through the bridge and we got the blockage lifted to hold a scrum for our Chilean brothers. People got the message right away and the way it opened minds was amazing, since they understood that you can play with people who stand for different ideals, so as to help a country that was going through a hard time”. Eliseo Branca, former Puma.
“The proposal added the spice of being able to prove that the difficulties arising from opportunistic and selfish attitudes and not from dialogue could be bridged by the sport. Many people participating gathered for the whole day with great enthusiasm to prove that the real bridge is the result of the common feeling that rugby creates”. Rodolfo Ventura, former Puma.

Andrés H. Galliano
Sworn Translator. Interpreter
+54-11-30553544