The HCM City War Remnants Museum yesterday held a commemoration ceremony for Argentine journalist and photographer Ignacio Ezcurra, who disappeared in Saigon in 1968 while covering the war.

Argentine journalist and photographer’s daughter and son gifted Igancio Ezcurra’s memorabilia to the HCM City War Remnants Museum. 

The event was organised by the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in Viet Nam, the museum and the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations to celebrate his 50th death anniversary.

On this occasion, Ezcurra’s daughter and son gave the museum some of the journalist’s memorabilia for display.

They include Ezcurra’s press card and the first edition of the book Hasta Vietnam (To Vietnam), a collection of articles about the war, published in May 1972.

An Oliverri Lettera 32 typewriter used by the journalist when he worked in Viet Nam, and an incomplete report and documentary photos taken by Ezcurra were also donated.

Tran Xuan Thao, the museum’s director, said at the event: “The memorabilia are valuable exhibits for the museum. We will preserve, display and introduce them to visitors from Viet Nam and other countries.”

Encarnacion Ezcurra, the journalist’s daughter, thanked the embassy of the Argentine Republic in Viet Nam and the HCM City War Remnants Museum for the commemoration. “It has significant meaning to my family,” she said.

She said the visit was an opportunity to learn more about Viet Nam and its history.

Ezcurra was one of 12 brothers in a family that came from San Isidro. He studied at Columbia University in New York with a scholarship from the Inter American Press Association.

He worked in graphics, radio and television and travelled most of Argentina and the US to screen documentaries for the Buenos Aires-based Di Tella Institute.

Ezcurra was best known for his works on the Black Power movement in the US, and interviews with the US Senator for New York Robert Kennedy and American Baptist minister and activist Martin Luther King.

He disappeared in Sai Gon on May 8, 1968 at the age of 28 as he worked for La Nació de Buenos Aires newspaper.

Ezcurra’s memorabilia can be seen on the second floor of the museum at 28 Vo Van Tan Street in District 1. — VNS