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Mexico DF, Mexico. Three months of extreme adventure, crossing the Atlantic on a sailboat without an engine – the Montserrat - facing hurricanes while fleeing the Franco dictatorship. The goal: Mexico, the dream: freedom just like many exiled Basques. This is the story told in La travesía del Montserrat (The Crossing of the Montserrat), the memoirs of one of those brave men, Félix San Mamés Loizaga.

The book was published in Mexico by Code publishers, and was presented on August 21^st at a crowded ceremony at the Mexican Senate. The presentation was attended by Juan San Mamés, nephew of the author, who participated in the publication of the memoirs. Alongside him on the podium was PRD Senator Jesus Garibay and prominent historians of the 'Ateneo Español' of Mexico. The presentation was very interesting and emotional, especially since there were many descendants of the nine Basque sailors also in attendance.

Thanks to Mexico

The event was convened by the Senate, through the 'Belisario Dominguez' Institute and the Spanish Ateneo of Mexico.  Felix’s nephew, Juan San Mamés, who currently resides in San Francisco, CA was also in attendance, and who also was actively involved in the publication of these memoirs.  During the presentation he thanked the Mexican people for the generosity shown exiles and especially to these nine men of the Montserrat.

[Photo of the hall where the presentation took place that was attended by many descendants of the protagonists of the book (photo JSanMames)]

San Mamés told those present about his uncle’s adventures when in 1950, he and eight other friends decided to flee the repression of Franco's dictatorship and escaped in a sailboat headed for Mexico. However, on the way the engine broke and what was initially meant to be a 15 day journey dragged on for three long months. The book narrates in a simple and authentic style the day to day life onboard and San Mamés’ reflections. The ship reached Mexico on October 4 and the crew was featured in all the media. All of them settled in Mexico, the country that received them with open arms.

Long and difficult journey

Senator Jesus Garibay pointed out that the Republican exiles enriched their host country by their vital contributions: "Many came to Mexico enduring a very difficult and dangerous marine voyage, and what they brought to Mexico is much greater than described by all of the speeches and documents written about this case.”

Another presenter, Ivan Pliego Moreno, member of the board of the Spanish Ateneo said that the Republican exile is linked to the outbreak of the Second World War and that the Spanish Civil War was merely its first battle.  Daniella Silva, also a member of the Spanish Ateneo of Mexico, highlighted the odyssey that the nine sailors lived aboard the Montserrat, beset by dreams of a country in which they could live in freedom.

-Anyone wanting to learn more about the book, receive a copy, or contact Rosa Mari or Mari Carmen, daughters of Félix San Mamés, can do so through the blog http://latravesiadelmontserrat.blogspot.com