Historical Summary The Fatherland (La Patria) was a local morning newspaper in Concepción, Chile, which was in circulation from November 23, 1923, until late 1970, with some limited editions in early 1971. Throughout its history, the editorial direction was in the hands of prominent local citizens, including Abraham Romero Garrido, Daniel Vergara, and Arnoldo Michelsen. Impact of the 1939 Earthquake The newspaper suffered significant damage due to the great earthquake of January 1939, which interrupted its regular circulation. Between 1940 and 1942, the newspaper maintained an irregular periodicity. However, on December 6, 1943, the Sociedad Periodística del Sur (SOPESUR), an organization composed of media entrepreneurs from southern Chile, assumed control of La Patria. Under the direction of Ramiro Troncoso Vigueras, the newspaper was relaunched with a renewed profile. From 1946 onwards, La Patria experienced one of its most outstanding periods in terms of journalistic quality in the Concepción region. Decline and Closure In the 1970s, La Patria faced increasing competition from Diario El Sur, which had established itself as the main local competitor. This situation led to the closure of the newspaper towards the end of 1970, with some limited editions appearing in early 1971. Editorial Analysis (1930-1939) Within the framework of the British Library project EAP1532, the decade from 1930 to 1939 has been examined, concluding that Diario La Patria maintained a conservative editorial line. The newspaper emphasized local and regional news, offering a vision focused on the city of Concepción and its surroundings. Stable Sections The newspaper had several stable sections, among which the following stand out: • Front Pages and Anniversaries: The front pages, some illustrated with photographs, included special editions in color and in large format for national and international anniversaries, particularly in the Sunday editions. • Economic Notices and Professional Guides: It contained advertisements for professional services offered by doctors, lawyers and other specialists, reflecting an educated society linked to the University of Concepción. • Advertising: It included advertisements for a variety of businesses, many of them belonging to immigrant families who still maintain their presence in the region, offering popular consumer products at that time. • Obituaries: It presented obituaries of residents of Concepción and nearby cities. • Worship: It highlighted news related to the Catholic Church, including activities, convocations, celebrations and mass events. • International News: Reported on the Great Depression, armed conflicts such as the Chaco War in Latin America, and the political situation in Europe in the run-up to World War II. • National News: Covered issues related to the central government of Chile during a period of political and social tensions, economic crisis, and public health problems. • Local News: Included information on trade associations, transportation, public safety, unemployment and charity, the University of Concepción, and other relevant activities. • Auctions: Offered announcements about the sale of property, furniture, household goods, and rural land by well-off families. • Theaters and Movie Theaters: Reported on a wide variety of movies and shows at local theaters. • Sports: Published results and comments on horse racing, boxing, tennis, and soccer. • Social Life: Included announcements about engagements, courtships, bachelor and bachelorette parties, weddings, social gatherings, and group celebrations. Conclusion The newspaper La Patria, throughout its existence, reflected both local changes and challenges as well as global events, providing a comprehensive view of life in Concepción and its surroundings during much of the 20th century. Its conservative editorial line and its diverse sections made it an important information reference in the region.
Resumen Histórico El Diario La Patria fue un periódico matutino de carácter local en Concepción, Chile, que estuvo en circulación desde el 23 de noviembre de 1923 hasta finales de 1970, con algunas ediciones limitadas a principios de 1971. Durante su historia, la dirección editorial estuvo a cargo de destacados ciudadanos locales, incluyendo a Abraham Romero Garrido, Daniel Vergara y Arnoldo Michelsen. Impacto del Terremoto de 1939 El periódico sufrió daños significativos debido al gran terremoto de enero de 1939, lo que interrumpió su circulación regular. Entre 1940 y 1942, el periódico mantuvo una periodicidad irregular. Sin embargo, el 6 de diciembre de 1943, la Sociedad Periodística del Sur (SOPESUR), una organización compuesta por empresarios de medios de comunicación del sur de Chile, asumió el control de La Patria. Bajo la dirección de Ramiro Troncoso Vigueras, el periódico fue relanzado con un perfil renovado. A partir de 1946, La Patria experimentó una de sus etapas más destacadas en términos de calidad periodística en la región de Concepción. Declive y Cierre En la década de 1970, La Patria enfrentó una creciente competencia del Diario El Sur, que se había consolidado como el principal competidor local. Esta situación llevó al cierre del periódico hacia finales de 1970, con algunas ediciones limitadas apareciendo a comienzos de 1971. Análisis Editorial (1930-1939) En el marco del proyecto EAP1532 de la British Library, se ha examinado la década de 1930 a 1939, concluyendo que el Diario La Patria mantenía una línea editorial conservadora. El periódico enfatizaba noticias locales y regionales, ofreciendo una visión centrada en la ciudad de Concepción y sus alrededores. Secciones Estables El periódico presentaba varias secciones estables, entre las cuales se destacan: • Portadas y Efemérides: Las primeras planas, algunas ilustradas con fotografías, incluían ediciones especiales en colores y de gran formato para efemérides nacionales e internacionales, particularmente en las ediciones dominicales. • Avisos Económicos y Guías Profesionales: Contenía anuncios de servicios profesionales ofrecidos por médicos, abogados y otros especialistas, reflejando una sociedad educada y vinculada a la Universidad de Concepción. • Publicidad: Incluía anuncios de una variedad de comercios, muchos de ellos pertenecientes a familias inmigrantes que aún conservan su presencia en la región, ofreciendo productos de consumo popular en esa época. • Obituarios: Presentaba obituarios de residentes de Concepción y ciudades cercanas. • Culto: Destacaba noticias relacionadas con la iglesia católica, incluyendo actividades, convocatorias, celebraciones y eventos masivos. • Noticias Internacionales: Informaba sobre la Gran Depresión Económica, conflictos armados como la Guerra del Chaco en América Latina y la situación política en Europa en los preludios de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. • Noticias Nacionales: Cubría temas relacionados con el gobierno central de Chile durante un período de tensiones políticas y sociales, crisis económica y problemas de salud pública. • Noticias Locales: Incluía información sobre asociaciones gremiales, transporte, seguridad pública, cesantía y caridad, la Universidad de Concepción y otras actividades relevantes. • Remates: Ofrecía anuncios sobre la venta de propiedades, muebles, enseres domésticos y terrenos rurales por parte de familias acomodadas. • Teatros y Cinematógrafos: Informaba sobre una amplia variedad de películas y espectáculos en los teatros locales. • Deportes: Publicaba resultados y comentarios sobre hípica, boxeo, tenis y fútbol. • Vida Social: Incluía anuncios sobre compromisos, noviazgos, despedidas de solteros y solteras, casamientos, reuniones sociales y celebraciones grupales. Conclusión El Diario La Patria, a lo largo de su existencia, reflejó tanto los cambios y desafíos locales como los eventos globales, proporcionando una visión integral de la vida en Concepción y sus alrededores durante gran parte del siglo XX. Su línea editorial conservadora y sus diversas secciones lo convirtieron en un importante referente informativo en la región.
Extent: 2317 newspapers.
Size and dimensions of original material: Height 61 cm, Width 48 cm.
Condition of original material: The overall condition of this collection is fair, meaning that the document set exhibits damage ranging between 30% and 70%. Some of the most significant deteriorations include: Creases along the edges of the first and last issues of each month. News items highlighted or framed with colored pencils. Tears in interior pages, with missing pieces from corners that compromise the content. Tears repaired with old adhesive tape. Some issues with superficial dirt on the front page and stained pages. Faded ink on the first pages of some issues.
Custodial history: The Hemeroteca of the current Luis David Cruz Ocampo Central Library at the University of Concepción in Chile preserves the collection of Diario La Patria from 1930 to 1970. The former University Public Library of this institution, founded in 1926, began subscribing to this and other local newspapers in 1930 when it moved to the new building at 1068 Barros Arana Street in the city center, where it remained for over 40 years. In 1972, these collections and the entirety of the holdings were transferred to the new building known as the Central Library, located on the university campus, also referred to as the university district, where they have been maintained to this day.
Arrangement: Chronologically Ascending.
Author(s)/Creator(s): "La Patria" newspaper began to be published in 1923 as a local initiative, which portrays the local daily life of the time.
Publisher(s): Beginning its circulation in 1923, the foundational history of Diario La Patria de Concepción in Chile remains a topic of ongoing research. Since 1943, the newspaper has been published by the Sociedad Periodística del Sur (SOPESUR). Its editorial office has always been located in the city of Concepción.
Editor(s): The Sociedad Periodística del Sur (SOPESUR) was a Chilean company that operated from 1934 to 1982, acquiring several written print media in the country, including the newspaper La Patria in 1943.
Issue number: Año VII-XVII.
