Writing for children and adults is no easy task. And it’s even harder to make the shortlists for a literary contest in both categories. However, the Academic Coordinator of Journalism, Leonardo Haberkorn, achieved this in September 2009 when he was nominated for two Bartolomé Hidalgo Awards, an event organized by the Uruguayan Chamber of Books.
“Questions and Answers About Animals in Uruguay” is a book that recounts, through stories and anecdotes, the details of the country’s wildlife. Meanwhile, “Tupamaro Stories” is a historical-journalistic investigation into the National Liberation Movement-Tupamaros (MLN-T).
Haberkorn, 45, founded and directed the “Qué Pasa” supplement of the newspaper El País between 2000 and 2006. He worked as a journalist for the weekly newspapers Aquí and Búsqueda, among others; served as editor of the magazine Punto y Aparte; and was managing editor of the magazine Tres.
What did it mean to be nominated in two categories for the Bartolomé Hidalgo Awards?
"I'm so happy. It took me by surprise because I wasn't expecting the nominations."
It’s unusual for the same author to be nominated in the same competition for an award in the children’s book category and another in the political-journalistic essay category. How can we explain this “combination” that led him to write one book about the Tupamaros and another—dedicated to children—about the animals of Uruguay?
"That's true. My editor told me this is the first time an author has been nominated in two different categories for different works. Many people are surprised that I tackle such diverse topics, but the explanation is simple. I'm a journalist, and journalists are interested in everything . Curiosity is the foundation of journalism."
What inspired you to write the book about interesting facts about Uruguayan wildlife?
"About ten years ago, I was hired by Probides, a United Nations program for the sustainable development of the wetlands in eastern Uruguay. My task was to write an ecotourism guide for that region, of which two editions were published. As part of that very rewarding work , I traveled through the eastern departments in the company of zoologist Carlos Prigioni. For every animal we observed, Prigioni had an incredible story to tell. Listening to him gave me the idea to write a book so that Uruguayan children could learn about the wonders of our own wildlife—and not just read about giraffes and lions, as is usually the case."
He has also written about sports: a book on former soccer player Pablo Bengoechea and chapters in Luciano Álvarez’s book on the history of Peñarol. Which area (genre) do you feel most comfortable with? Sports, national history, or children’s literature?
"It's the same for everyone. One of the best things about journalism is being able to delve into different areas and always learn something new. Someone once said that journalism is the only profession where you get paid to learn on the job."
Regarding *Historias Tupamaras*, how did you cope with the responsibility of studying a topic from recent history that you also experienced firsthand?
"I was born in December 1963, when the Tupamaros were already preparing in secret to carry out the revolution. At the height of their power, I was 6 or 7 years old. When they were defeated militarily, I was barely 8. I was just a child. I don't consider myself part of that period of recent history."
Do you consider it a work of journalism, a history book, or a work of historical journalism?
"It's a book about a period in recent history, but written by a journalist using the tools of journalism."
https://youtu.be/M4EpIbI0jms?si=HpdUJGG2TbzAXcjq
Why did you decide to structure the book around six myths that, as you explain in the book, exist regarding the Tupamaros?
"That idea emerged during the research process; I didn't start the project with it. But at a certain point, it became clear to me that the greatest value of the testimonies I was collecting was that they challenged certain ideas and concepts that the official history of the MLN has taken for granted— often despite all the evidence to the contrary."
Were you ever concerned that you might be ideologically linked to one group or another?
"I’ve been taking my work seriously for many years now, and at this point, I think everyone knows that I don’t take sides. But I did want *Historias Tupamaras* to be read by a broad audience—from the right, the center, and the left. With that in mind, I made sure that my interviewees—all of whom are former members of the MLN who question the official Tupamaros narrative—are now active across all sectors of political life. And I succeeded, because among those who share their testimonies are former Tupamaros who are now members of the Colorado, Nacional, and Independiente parties, as well as the Frente Amplio.
I also made a point of publishing the book in 2008, well before the elections. I made a great effort to do so; I worked around the clock at a pace I had never worked at before, and I was able to launch the book on December 8, 2008— almost a year before the elections. I believe the goal was achieved, and the book—which has already sold 5,500 copies—has reached a very wide and diverse audience."
What did you enjoy most about writing each book in particular?
"There are two very special moments. The first happens when you've been researching something for months and suddenly realize that the pieces are starting to fall into place, that everything makes sense, and that all that's left is to write it down. The other wonderful moment is when, after the book is published, people tell you that they read it in one sitting all night long or that, thanks to it, they discovered a world they didn't know existed. That's great."