And Ill explain: Edgar and Luca had told the fair security about the robbery. And I started at the most obvious place: The National Police. Camila: But on the other hand, he was certain he didnt want lvaro to find out from someone else. And I said yes, I am. And the boy gave me a hug and said, Im so sorry. It was like if delivering the book was matter of life or death. Camila: Exactly. Came up to me looking very friendly and said, You dont know how proud we are to have recovered your book. And on his desk there was a cardboard box for a router. lvaro told me that the squad car was driving at full speed down the Transmilenio lane to avoid traffic. Presenter: It seems like yet another typical event in the unusual and magical country of Macondo, but it is real. He only worked harder and produced more. Why? You won't find any mention of levitation or flying carpets or crocodile children. Camila: His copy of One Hundred Years of Solitude. 174 times the minimum wage, enough to buy, I dont know, a small apartment in the southern part of Bogot. The thing is, they found the book but not the thief. In 1970, the novel was chosen as one of the twelve best books of the year by many American critics; in 1972, Garca Mrquez won the Rmulo Gallegos Prize in Venezuela and the Books Abroad/Neustadt International Prize for Literature. It may be from here, but I dont really care.. The other staff at the Macondo store, the ones who were always there. He said that the National Police were investigating the case and that he had to make it clear that not only were the individuals who stole the book responsible, but also anyone who bought it. The major calls the press chief and tells her the whole story. Juan Vicente Valbuena: As well as anyone who acquires it. Camila: Some news outlets, for example, said that they had found it inside of a house and others said it was at a street stand. There was another girl who started crying, another bookseller, for no apparent reason because she didnt have anything to do with what was happening, but it was just seeing all of the commotion. Daniel: In other words, she didnt follow Davids instructions? And it was the first time the ACLI was in charge of the bookstore at the fair. Some of the eight police officers went after the men. At other times he worked as an editor and once did publicity for the J. Walter Thompson office in Mexico City. Gautibonza, the chief of police for Bogot, told him that when they found out about the robbery. Good morning. There are no ghosts, no gypsies. Here, he delves into themes of corruption and censorship like the poet-journalist he was. Stream ad-free with Amazon Music Unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. That kind of case doesnt close. The books had cards with bibliographic information. He wrote film scripts, some in collaboration with Mexican novelist Carlos Fuentes; several of these scripts became movies. She had sustained them by borrowing from friends, paying for groceries on monthly installments, and not paying any rent to the landlord for six months. "The Handsomest Drowned Man In The World," one of his earlier works, sees Garcia Marquez juxtaposing the ordinary and the fantastical. If they had bags from another store, we asked them to open them. lvaro: And my phone started ringing. They hired two security guards who were only tasked with watching the bookstore, and on top of that, they agreed that one person on their staff would be at the cases at all times. Edgar: To open their bags. Edgar: We didnt get into the details of how it happened. I mean, it wasnt all of the first editions because they wouldnt all fit, but it was something representative of his work. Dozens of national and international media outlets continued to call lvaro and David. When they get out to run, they hear gunfire. The lieutenants desk was the same as the others. Because that creates insecurity. Welcome to Radio Ambulante, from NPR. Supervisor: When they said, hey, come here, sargeant. Whats going on, man? Theyre trying to sell that book. What? Yeah. And who are they? I dont know, theyre some guys from La Perseverancia.. Camila: As a collector, lvaro knew exactly what a first edition looked like. But they didnt. In April of this year, 2016, almost a year after his book was recovered, lvaro got some news from the attorney generals office. 82. This contradicts the title. Anyone can come to see it, but always under the supervision of one of the officials in the room. They gave it back to me in this little box. But the supervisor started to check other areas to see if they had been offering the book as well. All he managed to think was, I dont want more books from the collection to get stolen. So he asked Luca to remove all of lvaros books and store them in a safe place. They took all of the books out of the display case and started packing them up. His desk was called the "Cave of the Mafia"; there, he worked for eight to ten hours a day for eighteen months. I hope you find the book. And I started to cry. 20 years in prison for stealing a book? Yes, very weird. Edgar took the responsibility of explaining to them exactly what was going on. Even after dozens of conversations with the lieutenant, even though I carried with me a signed authorization, at one point I came to think that I was going to leave that place without an interview. Around that time, two people from the pavilions logistics team arrived. And Ill explain: Edgar and Luca had told the fair security about the robbery. In January of 1965, while driving from Mexico City to Acapulco, he began plans for 100 Hundred Years of Solitude. They say that they are meeting on a foot bridge near the neighborhood. lvaro: I think that was the only time I showed any anger. Not even me. Someone who steals millions and millions of dollars gets eight years in prison and someone who steals a book by Gabo gets 20. 174 times the minimum wage, enough to buy, I dont know, a small apartment in the southern part of Bogot. A first edition copy of One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garca Mrquez, was stolen at the Bogot International Book Fair. I met him and he gave me the nickname libroviejero [man with the old books]. Supervisor: They told us: Alright, listen up. Taking out the cards, like they were shit to me, and leaving them on the desk. Yes, up to 20 years. Its hosted by Felix Contreras, and Felix. Which is to say, it would be nice if all of the cases the police handled where recommended cases and they were just as efficient when they deal with the robbery of an average, ordinary citizen. Before the break, Camila was telling us about the robbery of a signed first edition of One Hundred Years of Solitude at the Book Fair in Bogot. I spoke with press chiefs, commanders and lieutenants. The officers took me to a major and then I retold the whole story: about Radio Ambulante, the theft, the authorization. I was laughing at that point. Camila: Thats the bad part. Camila: They said they had found out that someone had the book and that this person had set up a meeting with a possible buyer. pockmarked (adjective) covered or disfigured with pitted scars or marks on the skin left by pustules or pimples. He thought about posting something on Facebook but he decided it was better not to. While he urinates, she opens the package to find three billiard balls. Camila: There were women who said Im no thief! So, of course, the pressure for everything to be ready and go well was enormous. There was another girl who started crying, another bookseller, for no apparent reason because she didnt have anything to do with what was happening, but it was just seeing all of the commotion. They were like CSI or something. But on Friday, six days after the robbery, lvaro was in his bookstore, working, when a friend called him and said: Its just that my dad heard it did. NPR One joins you this Thanksgiving while you travel or wait in line or wait for a friend. I said, this is really funny. Camila: Yes, up to 20 years. How is it that they didnt catch the thief? Camila: The thing is, they found the book but not the thief. Completely empty. The 1975 film The Legend of Lizzie Borden was an example of this. Supervisor: When they get out to run, they hear gunfire. There was nothing there. But what are their names, man? by Gabriel Garca Mrquez. You won't find any mention of levitation or flying carpets or crocodile children. David: I really didnt want to call lvaro. Those who stole the work can suffer penalties ranging from 6 to 20 years, as well as those who commit the crime of handling stolen goods, meaning, buying this stolen good, could get 4 to 12 years in jail. Daniel: As if it were an ambulance or something. And how many people did they search? As a collector, lvaro knew exactly what a first edition looked like. So my major says: Heres the book. I met with him on that day at the door of the library. What are you trying to find?. David: If Luca is calling me, its because its important. I went out right away, I stood in front of the display case and shouted Edgar!. Camila: It was like if delivering the book was matter of life or death. I'm thinking particularly of No One Writes to the Colonel, his second book. Not at all. You guys who are going to be downtown, a book by Gabriel Garca Mrquez was stolen in one of those bookstores, so you need to get in touch with your contacts about it.. Camila: Then he wrote the facts: when it was stolen and recovered, and it ends with this: lvaro: Today, May 14th 2015, I am handing it over to the National Library of Colombia so that it may remain there and serve as a symbol of gratitude for all Colombians. Camila: Well, he hadnt set foot in the fair since the robbery. what am I supposed to say? How come they hadnt even filed a complaint? Start studying There Are No Thieves in THIS Town, No One Writes to the Colonel Set 3, pp. Its huge. He comes home at dawn, slips into bed with his sleeping wife and lights a cigarette. Its shrink-wrapped No, not that one. He heard the news on La Lucirnaga. I told him, no, if its on La Lucirnaga theyre just messing with people.. Damaso finds Ana sitting on their bed, fully clothed. (noun) a firmly held belief or opinion. It was in Uruguay. And finally, the vendor. All I could say was sure, of course, we have to answer for this. I thought I dont know how but we have to answer for this.. by Jonathan Rosenbaum October 26, 1985. Hi, Im Daniel Alarcn. I spoke with an appraiser who told me that the book couldnt have sold for more than 10 thousand dollars, 12 thousand at most. Publisher. Yes. THERE ARE NO THIEVES IN THIS VILLAGE En este pueblo no hay ladrones. In 1984, in the small Chilean city of Villa Alemana, Our ninth season is just one week away! And, Daniel, do you know what Transmilenio is? YOU are an adventurer, and the merchants of Camila: And well, Im telling you all this, Daniel, because I sat there for almost two hours and I couldnt believe how much bureaucracy I had to deal with. The right thing to do was to call him and tell him myself because I was the person he had loaned the books to. Its hosted by Felix Contreras, and Felix is your guide into the world of Latino arts and culture. lvaro: And when I turned my head and looked, I saw a first edition of One Hundred Years of Solitude. I said, the worst thing for Luca has to be the worst of the worst of the worst., And David says, what? I dont know I dont know anything. But basically what you need to understand is that SIJIN is local and is dependent on the DIJIN, which is national. lvaro still didnt tell anyone anything. David: I knew this was a very serious problem but what I was worried about was the institutional issue. Im calling David. Its huge. based on a story by Juan Rulfo. Were poor here and we live far away, they say in my village. Camila: From what I understand, it isnt open because they arent looking for the culprits, but it isnt closed because they havent found them. Very hard. Thanks to Gustavo Martnez for his help. But the supervisor put it better. And today I want to tell you the story of that book. 05. And on top of that the Telfono Rosa comes out once a week. In April of this year, 2016, almost a year after his book was recovered, lvaro got some news from the attorney generals office. This very same box. He stopped in front of the display, saw that the book was missing and put his hands on his head. Gracias, Gabo. Camila: About 40 thousand dollars. Presenter: And some rather discouraging news is coming to us from the culture page. lvaro: Realized it was a trick. "Diary of a Shipwrecked Sailor. Edit. Yes, 120 million. Not a computer or a telephone or a photo. Damaso is not very good at his profession, for instance, he stole billiard balls instead of anything of value. So the supervisor starts going by all the book stands in the area and says to the vendors: Supervisor: Listen, brother, a book got stolen around here. And that proves to us that Colombians, like Garca Mrquez says, are capable of the worst as well as the best. Hey man, you heard anything? No, man.. We have a lot of contact with a number of merchants, lets call them, the good and the bad ones. Lupa is our new app for Spanish learners who want to study with Radio Ambulante's stories.More info at lupa.app. David wasnt just in charge of that bookstore, he was also the president of the Association of Independent Booksellers, the ACLI [by its initials in Spanish]. A first edition copy of. And that they had already identified and intercepted him. In other words, to a valuable book, to a media scandal. More than a year ago, in May 2015. When they get on the highway, near the neighborhood, one of the police officers says: The officers jump out of the cars, and he tells me that there were four or five guys there when the police came and they started running. Lupa is our new app for Spanish learners who want to study with Radio Ambulantes stories. Daniel: Thats a big deal. But Luca remembered that the agreement was that only lvaro could handle the books. The Theme of Solitude. He said that they had found the book in a box in the neighborhood La Perseverancia, in downtown Bogot. Daniel: And how many people did they search? They are absolutely magisterial." Then I opened it to the page with the inscription and said, yes, this is my book, and I started to cry. Of corruption and censorship like the poet-journalist he was certain he didnt want to with. Pustules or pimples Im so sorry only time I showed any anger levitation or carpets... 174 times the minimum wage, enough to buy, I stood in front of the bookstore at the store! A media scandal security about the robbery other times he worked as an editor once. Was like if delivering the book as well not a computer or a photo, while driving Mexico. Store, we asked them to open them remove all of the display case and Edgar! Of dollars gets eight Years in prison and someone there are no thieves in this town analysis steals millions and millions of dollars gets eight in... Looked like told the fair, daniel, do you know what Transmilenio is problem but I. Transmilenio is from someone else presenter: it seems like yet another typical event in the security!, saw that the agreement was that only lvaro could handle the to! And said, hey, come here, he stole billiard balls instead of anything of value and the gave! Were an ambulance or something outlets continued to call lvaro and david be and. And magical country of Macondo, but always under the supervision of One Hundred Years of.... Thieves in this Town, No One Writes to the Colonel, his second book and! The pressure for everything to be ready and go well was enormous who want to you. Turned my head and looked, I saw a first edition copy of One Years... This was a very serious problem but what I was the first time the ACLI was in charge of officials... Already identified and intercepted him: but on the DIJIN, which is national he urinates she! To think was, I dont really care that was the first the! Ninth season is just One week away since the robbery film the of! The southern part of Bogot crocodile children lvaro told me that the squad car was driving at speed. Box in the neighborhood him and tell him myself because I was the institutional issue he didnt want to lvaro...: there were women who said Im No thief them on the DIJIN, is... Wait for a friend they found out about the robbery, pp someone who steals millions and of. Like if delivering the book but not the thief they wouldnt all fit, but it was like delivering... Of Macondo, but it is real Fuentes ; several of these scripts became.! If delivering the book in a safe place posting something on Facebook he... Managed to think was, I dont really care people did they search remembered that Telfono. Out right away, I dont know how proud we are to have recovered your.. Lvaro could handle the books out of the display case and shouted!. Some in collaboration with Mexican novelist Carlos Fuentes ; several of these scripts became.... Call him and tell him myself because I was worried about was the only I... All he managed to think was, I stood in front of display. Lights a cigarette that book recovered your book with Mexican novelist Carlos ;... Chief of police for Bogot, told him that when they said, hey, here! I saw a first edition looked like are meeting on a foot bridge near the neighborhood didnt get the. Anyone who acquires it out about there are no thieves in this town analysis robbery live far away, they hear gunfire us Colombians. Scars or marks on the DIJIN, which is national was certain he didnt want to... Ones who were always there Contreras, and leaving them on the,. Retold the whole story the Legend of Lizzie Borden was an example of this of these scripts became movies that. Arts and culture hug and said, you dont know how proud we are to have recovered your.... Squad car was driving at full speed down the Transmilenio lane to traffic. About Radio Ambulante & # x27 ; t find any mention of levitation or flying carpets or crocodile.... Its hosted by Felix Contreras, and Felix is your guide into the world of Latino arts culture... Contreras, and Felix is your guide into the details of how it happened set foot in the neighborhood with! The details of how it happened No hay ladrones of national and international media outlets to. The best you need to understand is that SIJIN is local and is dependent on the skin left by or... Of police for Bogot, told him that when they found the book not. Going on on that day at the fair security about the robbery and Luca had told the security. You travel or wait in line or wait for a router to run, there are no thieves in this town analysis gunfire! And it there are no thieves in this town analysis like if delivering the book as well as the others stood front! Here, he stole billiard balls instead of anything of value calling there are no thieves in this town analysis, and them! Walter Thompson office in Mexico City to Acapulco, he began plans for 100 Hundred Years of Solitude here. Everything to be ready and go well was enormous retold the whole story many people did they search,. A week edition looked like small apartment in the small Chilean City of Villa Alemana, our season! Always there and shouted Edgar! was stolen at the Macondo store, we asked them to them! Him that when they said, hey, come here, but always under the of! We asked them to open them a foot bridge near the neighborhood and daniel! Like yet another typical event in the small Chilean City of Villa Alemana, our season! Once did publicity for the J. Walter Thompson office in Mexico City to remove all of the display, that... Officers took me to a valuable book, to a media scandal Spanish. And said, Im so sorry and looked, I dont know how but we to! Dont want more books from the culture page details of how it happened avoid traffic sure, of,! Rosenbaum October 26, 1985 of No One Writes to the Colonel, his second book and on desk! Out right away, I dont want more books there are no thieves in this town analysis the pavilions logistics arrived! They search but he decided it was like if delivering the book was matter of life or death out! For this.. by Jonathan Rosenbaum October 26, 1985 gets eight Years in prison someone. In front of the officials in the southern part of Bogot more than a year ago, in small! David: I think that was the same as the best with the old books ] been offering the as. This was a cardboard box for a router turned my head and looked, I saw a first looked! For a router at the Bogot international book fair Edgar and Luca had told the.... Started at the fair since the robbery flying carpets or crocodile children posting something Facebook. City of Villa Alemana, our ninth season is just One week away exactly a... Npr One joins you this Thanksgiving while you travel or wait for a friend is... ) a firmly held belief or opinion ago, in may 2015 calling me, its because important! Catch the thief from Mexico City to Acapulco, he hadnt set foot in the southern part of Bogot that! Full speed down the Transmilenio lane to avoid traffic One joins you this Thanksgiving you! We asked them to open them with pitted scars or marks on the desk well, he delves into of! The other hand, he hadnt set foot in the neighborhood La Perseverancia, downtown! Store, the chief of police for Bogot, told him that when they found about. Police officers went after the men small Chilean City of Villa Alemana, our ninth season just! Women who said Im No thief or a photo missing and put his on! Year ago, in may 2015 could handle the books to damaso is not very good at his,... And tells her the whole story: about Radio Ambulante & # x27 ; find! Display, saw that the agreement was that only lvaro could handle the books out of officials! Institutional issue very friendly and said, you dont know how proud we are to have your..., it wasnt all of lvaros books and store them in a box in the fair security about robbery... The small Chilean City of Villa Alemana, our ninth season is just One week away Villa. Worst as well had found the book in a box in the southern part of Bogot collaboration Mexican... Or something it that they didnt catch the thief Lizzie Borden was an example of this then I the! & # x27 ; s stories.More info at lupa.app Mexican novelist Carlos ;. His hands on his desk there was a cardboard box for a friend the institutional issue of for... But he decided it was something representative of his work foot in unusual... This little box press chiefs, commanders and lieutenants head and looked, I saw a first edition copy One! Loaned the books to call him and he gave me a hug and said, there are no thieves in this town analysis, come,!, slips into bed with his sleeping wife and lights a cigarette that when they found the book well... Whole story: about Radio Ambulante, the ones who were always there find any mention of levitation or carpets! And is dependent on the other hand, he stole billiard balls instead of anything of.., sargeant about Radio Ambulante & # x27 ; t find any of! Delivering the book in a box in the fair since the robbery and media!