This has been an emotional week in the worldwide freedom movement, as so many of our friends and colleagues from around the globe have mourned the passing and celebrated the life of the great writer and Nobel laureate, Mario Vargas Llosa. Whether you knew him in his lifetime as many of us did, or are just learning of Mario Vargas Llosa's legacy today, I can't overstate how fortunate we all are for being in a world touched by his art and his contributions to the promotion of a free society.
Mario Vargas Llosa was a literary giant considered a national treasure in his home country of Peru. He was also a think tank founder and steadfast advocate for liberty in Latin America and beyond. I was proud that Mario Vargas Llosa contributed to Atlas Network's programs on many occasions and that he joined our team in 2010 as our Templeton Leadership Fellow. His journey from early socialist ideals to a profound commitment to classical liberalism inspired countless freedom champions who follow in his footsteps.
Vargas Llosa's eloquent opposition to authoritarian regimes—from Castro's Cuba to Chávez and Maduro's Venezuela—demonstrated his unwavering dedication to freedom and liberal democracy, even under the most challenging of circumstances.
In remembrance of Mario Vargas Llosa's extraordinary life, I invite you to watch this tribute to his legacy, where he tells the story of the turning point that made him more than a great artist, but truly a great champion of freedom who would inspire millions upon millions around the world.
