| Jorge Aliaga Cacho |
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 |
| Born | Lima, Peru |
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| Occupation | Writer & Sociologist |
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| Nationality |   Peruvian- Scottish |
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| Notable work(s) | Mufida, La angolesa, Secreto de desamor, Terrorism in Peru |
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www.jorgealiagacacho.com |
Jorge Aliaga Cacho, is a
writer and
sociologist born in
Lima,
Peru. He entered the
National Institute of Culture where he was elected President of the Association of Workers (ATINC). In his capacity as chairman he played an important role in the formation of the Confederation of State Employees (CITE). He was awarded the “City of Ayacucho medal” for literary merit, the city where
Latin Americans sealed their independence from
Spain, he was also awarded the "Josè Marìa Arguedas" medal from the Global Association of Writers and Artists, (La Asociaciòn de Escritores y Artistas del Orbe). He has published a novel, "Secreto de desamor", Renteria Editores, Lima, 2007 and a book of short stories: "Mufida, La angolesa", Editores Altazor, Lima, 2011.
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Early life
Jorge Aliaga Cacho, is a writer and sociologist born in Lima, Peru. He completed his primary education at “La Rectora”, and attended secondary school, intermittently, at various institutions, including the same infamous
military school attended by
Mario Vargas Llosa (
Leoncio Prado), before scaling its high walls and ‘escaping’ a few weeks into term so he could go to a party. At only 16 years of age, the author ventured into politics. He first participated in the Peruvian Committee for the Liberation of
Angela Davis, and also served on the Committee to Support the Struggle of the Vietnamese people. By that time he had begun his first job as an accounting clerk, before being moved to the billing department to work as a
debt collector. On the streets of Lima, he discovered not only the architecture of the city, but the idiosyncrasies of his people that he registers accurately in the content of his writing.
In 1973, Aliaga travelled to
Cuba where he had the opportunity to participate in an event hosted by
Fidel Castro and Angela Davis's sister, Rosa Davis, a prominent activist in the American
Black Power Movement.
In 1975, Aliaga entered the National Institute of Culture where he was elected President of the Association of Workers (ATINC). In his capacity as chairman he played an important role in the formation of the Confederation of State Employees (CITE). In 1978 Aliaga enrolled in the first course for Cultural Promoters sponsored by
UNESCO in Lima.
In 1981, Jorge Aliaga, exiled in the
United Kingdom, travelled to
London, then headed to
Scotland. He was engaged in a variety of jobs: art model, restauranteur, customs officer for the
British Airports Authority, translator and interpreter, news researcher, teacher, etc.
He opened the first Peruvian Peña in the UK: "Café Peña Jananti" which soon became a centre of activity for the promotion of
Peruvian and
Latin American culture. This venue was frequented by artists and personalities such as:
Robin Harper (leader of the
Scottish Green Party), guitarist Galo Cerón, the bands
Inti-Illimani,
Awatiñas,
Rumillajta,
Inti Raymi, Amaru de Tinta and Apu, actor
Russell Hunter, artist, writer and ex-convict
Jimmy Boyle, Mick Magahey (leader of the Scottish miners), television presenter
Muriel Gray, Ray Newton (previous winner of Edinburgh Citizen of the Year),
Gordon McLennan (head of the
Communist Party of Great Britain), Arthur Milligan (Founder member of
Communist Party of Scotland), artist and photographer
Iain Mackay, musician Edgar Villarroel, theatre group Guanaco, writer and Peruvian diplomat Carlos Zavaleta, poet David Smith, musician Ernesto Valdez Chacón, musician Julio Benavente Díaz, DJ Nano Fernández, and Violet Williamson among others.
Jorge Aliaga studied at
Glasgow University where he received a Masters in Sociology and Latin American Studies. He also studied at
St Andrew's University where he read the Literature of the River Plate and the Latin American Essay.
He was an active member of the Trade Unionist movement and remains involved in Scottish politics. He had the opportunity to meet
Julieta Campusano, Minister for
Salvador Allende, and coordinated activities with her for the solidarity of the Chilean people oppressed by the dictator
Pinochet.
He was a union representative for the
National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) and supported the struggle of miners in Scotland. With NUPE, he organised a strike at the
Edinburgh College of Art, which culminated in a successful negotiation of a list of demands that won higher wages, bonuses and permanent contracts for art models in all Scottish art schools.
He was also President of the Latin American Society at the University of Glasgow, President of the Scottish Peruvian Friendship Society, founding member of the Communist Party of Scotland and the
Scottish Socialist Party.
He was awarded the “City of Ayacucho medal” for literary merit, the city where Latin Americans sealed their independence from Spain, he was also awarded the "Josè Marìa Arguedas" medal from the Global Association of Writers and Artists, (La Asociaciòn de Escritores y Artistas del Orbe).
After many years Jorge Aliaga Cacho has now returned to his homeland, and currently resides between both Scotland and Peru.
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Publications
"La Casa de la Magdalena", Olaya Editores, (1977), a history of the house of
Simon Bolivar in Peru, "Essays of Resistance" University of Glasgow, (1991), three essays on Latin America, "Terrorism in Peru", Jananti, Edinburgh, 1995, a tale of the war between the government of Peru and the
Shining Path insurgent organisation. He has also translated the essay "El destino de Norteamérica " by
José Carlos Mariátegui into English, Prontaprint, Edinburgh, 1998.: "The destiny of North America." He has published a novel, "Secreto de desamor", Renteria Editores, Lima, 2007 and a book of short stories: "Mufida, La angolesa", Editores Altazor, Lima, 2011.
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References
