The events brought together representatives from academic, diplomatic, and community circles, as well as readers interested in learning more about a story that invites reflection on memory, resilience, and the ability to rebuild one’s life after adversity.
The author participated in the meetings alongside Dr. Jorge Grünberg, rector , from the Universidad ORT Uruguay.
Four games in Miami
The new series of presentations began on October 6 at theLugar Común bookstore and cultural center in Miami. Among those in attendance were the Consul General of Uruguay in Miami, María Virginia Tebot; the Deputy Consul of Uruguay, Rafael Villamor; the Director of Cultural Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in Miami, Ariel Román Harris; and the Consul General of Argentina in Miami, Marcelo Gilardoni.
The following day, the presentation took place at Florida International University (FIU). The discussion was moderated by Dr. Gabriela Hoberman, director of Academic Programs at the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center (LACC), and addressed the story behind the novel and some of its central themes, such as memory and hope.
The event was attended by FIU officials, including Jeanette M. Núñez, the university’s president; Dr. Shlomi Dinar, dean of the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs; and Dr. José Miguel Cruz, interim director of LACC.
Also in attendance were the Consul General of Uruguay in Miami and Steven Meiner, mayor of Miami Beach.
The tour continued on October 10 at theBeth Torah synagogue and community center, an event attended by Rabbi Mario Rojzman, and on October 12 atthe Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center (MARJCC) in North Miami Beach.
A special gathering on a meaningful date
The presentation on October 16 took place at the Consulate General of Uruguay in San Francisco, on a date that held special emotional significance as it coincided with the birthday of Charlotte de Grünberg, who served as general director of the Universidad ORT Uruguay from 1977 to 2024, and is the mother of rector.
This coincidence made the gathering an even more meaningful occasion to commemorate their history and legacy.
Among those in attendance were consular representatives from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Greece in San Francisco; Jaime Fox, West Coast Regional Director of World ORT; and graduates of the Universidad ORT Uruguay. The event began with remarks by Consul General Beatriz Silva Prestinari, who introduced the program.
Afterward, the trailer for the English edition of the book was shown, and Dr. Grünberg shared his thoughts on the book’s reception and how readers have identified with his experiences and messages.
A Love Story and a New Life in Uruguay
The Q&A session provided an opportunity to explore what happened to Charlotte after the events described in the novel.
In response to a question from the audience, rector recounted how Charlotte and her family arrived in Uruguay and how, during that trip, she met the man who would later become her husband, Dr. José Grünberg.
In 1977, Prof. Charlotte de Grünberg became the executive director of ORT Uruguay.
The Encounter Between Literature and Its Readers
The presentations held in Miami and San Francisco were a continuation of the tour that began in April 2026 in Washington, D.C., and New York, when the English edition of the novel was first presented in the United States.
At the various events held in October, attendees took the opportunity to talk with Mr. Long, share their thoughts on the book, and ask him to sign their copies.
The activities also enabled *The Girl Who Watched the Trains Depart* to reach a variety of academic and community settings, sparking questions about memory, solidarity, and the possibility of rebuilding one’s life.