PABLO H.

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream.

12.01.23. It's my grandpa's (Carlos) 91st birthday. That day, he wanted to visit Villa Baviera, a German settler community in central Chile where past and future collides. Formerly known as Colonia Dignidad, Villa Baviera was an isolated settlement of germans that arrived in 1961 under the strict control of the religious leader Paul Schäfer. Until 1996, settlers and dissidents (especially during Pinochet's era) were victims of human rights violations, while to the outside world, the propaganda portrayed the settlement as an example of German efficiency.

For Carlos, this place represents part of the German culture he loves. After decades, the settlement is one of the few places where a majority of the community speaks German as a first language. Besides the infamous past of Colonia Dignidad, the new generations of settlers are working to rebrand the settlement's identity by enforcing new economic activities such as tourism. As of today, the main house is a three stories hotel placed next to a new restaurant filled with the settlement's agricultural products. Next to their most traditional economy (whose quality is associated with the so-called German efficiency), tourism is a way to rebrand and advertise the new face of this community.

For this one-day project, I wanted to play with creating a piece of propaganda from Villa Baviera through my grandfather's enthusiasm for German culture. The nostalgia for the "pure German" culture collides with its present, the Dantesque effort to rewrite their history, and the future of the new generations to come. Today, around ten percent of the original migrants still live in the settlement after more than a decade of reorganization. Only teenagers, the newest generation, speak Spanish as a first language.

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream - Carlos blowing a candle for his 91st birthday. The cake...

Carlos blowing a candle for his 91st birthday. The cake was a traditional... READ ON

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream - A Swedish journalist assigned to Chile, talks with...

A Swedish journalist assigned to Chile, talks with Carlos. The infamous story... READ ON

Hotel Baviera’s Breakfast Salon.

"Happy Birthday"

Hotel room.

German old fashion deco.

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream -

An artificial lake with pedal boats for visitors.

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream - When Colonia Dignidad was created in 1961, for decades...

When Colonia Dignidad was created in 1961, for decades the settlement was the... READ ON

View of the Hotel Baviera.

Hotel Baviera entrance.

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream - Most of what Colonia Dignidad couldn't produce was...

Most of what Colonia Dignidad couldn't produce was imported, mainly from... READ ON

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream - Around ten percent of the original Settlers live in...

Around ten percent of the original Settlers live in today's Villa... READ ON

Carlos on an old German Bike.

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream - Today, the Hospital takes care of the community in...

Today, the Hospital takes care of the community in general. During the... READ ON

Carlos next to the Hotel Baviera's Restaurant.

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream - Since its beginning, agriculture has been the main source...

Since its beginning, agriculture has been the main source of income for the community.

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream - The powerplant was built shortly after 1961. The original...

The powerplant was built shortly after 1961. The original machinery to... READ ON

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream - After Schäfer's downfall in 1996, many settlers...

After Schäfer's downfall in 1996, many settlers moved back to... READ ON

Carlos wondering in the garden.

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream - Between the hotel and the restaurant, there is a kiosk...

Between the hotel and the restaurant, there is a kiosk where the settlers... READ ON

Hotel Baviera's restaurant.

The brief glimpse of a settler's dream - Chilean and German flags behind the desk in the...

Chilean and German flags behind the desk in the Hotel's lobby.

Hotel's meeting room.

Sunset from the Hotel's Balcony.

PABLO H.

Pablo Hassmann

Visual Storyteller from Latin America focused on Migrations, Arts, & Cultures. Currently available for commissions, collaborations, & cultural projects.