Name Willy Zegarra | ||
 | ||
Willy zegarra quien me quita lo bailao obra del chumbeque a la zofri
Guillermo Zegarra or Cegarra, was born on March 16, 1908 in the mining camp of saltpeter “La Pampa” –nowadays called “Santiago Humberstone”- and died on January 8, 2005, it was a famous actor and poet of Iquique. Better known in the city as “Willy Zegarra” or “Don Willy”.
Contents
- Willy zegarra quien me quita lo bailao obra del chumbeque a la zofri
- His passion
- Last days
- Legacy
- References
When he was 14 years old he arrived to Iquique, where he began his foray into the artistic life. "I started very young, stimulated by my brothers who engaged me in this and the visit to the city from different troupes that performed works," said “Don Willy” to the newspaper La Estrella de Iquique. While he was acting in a theater, he met Luis Emilio Recabarren.
His passion
Thus supported by Luis Emilio Recabarren and Elias Laferte, both founders of the Socialist Workers Party, in the tours along pampas he began with works of high social content. Later he tried adding in Santiago Humberstone success of various companies, but must return to the city due to lack of money.
When he left the theater, he continued his work on the stages presented by Teatro Expression of Universidad Arturo Prat.
Shortly he disappeared completely from the public theater scene and, in one of his last interviews and in relation to the balance that makes his life said: "I am grateful to the theater and all that he has provided. I love the arts like my wife and my three children; they have encouraged me to remain active. I am proud of what I was and eager to do new things.
Last days
By 2005 his health got worse. On January 8, 2005 his heart stopped beating. Many anecdotes were left with his memory and so many stories of the old Iquique. So many stories he had in his intimate theater, "Veteran 79" (named after the Pacific Navy War in 1879).
His funeral was in an early Sunday. At 10 am his coffin was taken to the Municipal theater of Iquique, where he conducted “Teatro UPA”. The actors in the event installed in the foyer of the hall one chair, a straw hat (or coliza) humita enormous blue tie and a cane. They were his most characteristic elements. The candles were not extinguished until the event ended.
"The day I die, People will have to watch at a local theater, and I will have to make an artistic show, instead of praying". Unfortunately, few people were fired that day.
Legacy
Though he loved Iquique, when he was alive there weren’t any monument or street to this centenary man. But in 2009 the city hall of Iquique opened a park called: “Don Willy Zegarra”. This park is next to the Municipal Theatre of Iquique.
Theatre Company: “Teatro Expresión” every single January, 8th gave a free show in memoriam of Don Willy.