Rencontres Ufologiques - 2014 04 02 - No 036

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'Les Informations du jour des Rencontres Ufologiques' (Reference: 036-02-04 - 2014) is a French-language publication from Les Rencontres Ufologiques, affiliated with the Fédération Francophone d'Ufologie and MUFON France. It covers various UFO-related events, discussions, and investigations.

Report on the Resistencia UFO Meeting (Argentina)

The issue details the seventh UFO café meeting held on March 13, 2014, at the City Café Gourmet in Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina. The meeting, attended by Miguel A., S. Paul, Hector B., Cristian C., and Alexis C., covered a wide range of topics. The discussion began with the mysterious disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines Boeing, leading to a review of possible scenarios. Other subjects included the degradation of computer files and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Military aviation, communication, and weaponry were also discussed, with a recurring focus on the Malaysian plane incident and past unusual disappearances, such as the 'Lancastrian Star Dush' case from 1947.

The participants also touched upon video falsifications, noting the ease of creating fake UFO footage using software. The conversation broadened to include popular mythology, which was slated for future discussion, and the phenomenon of Chemtrails. The issue mentions that a meteorologist might be able to provide explanations regarding this phenomenon.

Towards the end of the meeting, participants connected via Skype with Ariel Maderna, responsible for the Santa Fe UFO café and a member of the Ufologie Santa-Fe Facebook group, and also with a member of 'UFO Network Browns d'Argentine'. The meeting concluded after four hours, with plans for future gatherings.

John Lennon's UFO Drawing Sold at Auction

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a rough sketch by John Lennon representing a UFO he reportedly saw in New York. The drawing was sold at auction on March 21, 2014, in New York for $16,530, far exceeding the estimated $2,000. The article recounts Lennon's 1974 sighting in his New York apartment, describing a round object with a flashing light and a red light on top, hovering silently about 100 meters away. The object reportedly disappeared after 5 to 10 minutes. The drawing, created during a casual conversation, is described as having little research interest on its own, with its high sale price attributed solely to Lennon's fame. His companion, Mai Pang, also witnessed the event and noted Lennon's casual interest in UFOs, mentioning he had subscribed to 'Flying Saucer Review'.

Jean-Marie Bigorne's Book: 'Chasseur d'Ovnis'

The issue features an in-depth presentation of Jean-Marie Bigorne's book, 'Chasseur d'Ovnis: Extraterrestres, autocensure, révélations : Mémoires d'un enquêteur de terrain' (UFO Hunter: Extraterrestrials, Self-Censorship, Revelations: Memoirs of a Field Investigator). The book is described as a summary of his extensive research and field investigations into UFO phenomena, starting from 1954. Bigorne, a former customs officer, became involved in detailed investigations in 1970, interviewing witnesses and examining physical traces. He specialized in 'close encounters of the third kind' and shares his findings, including information that was previously undisclosed. The book's table of contents lists various UFO cases investigated in Northern France between 1954 and 1974, as well as theoretical discussions.

Bigorne is presented as a veteran investigator, emerging in the late 1960s and 1970s alongside other notable ufologists. He has collaborated with various UFO groups and researchers, including Albert Rosales (USA) for a humanoid catalogue, the GERU in Roubaix, and Jean Pierre D'Hondt of GNEOVNI in Lille. The article highlights the shift from journalistic to more professional UFO investigation over the years. It also notes a contemporary challenge: a lack of interesting observations to practice investigation techniques on.

Local UFO Events and Discussions

The magazine announces several upcoming and recent UFO-related events:

• Valencia, Spain: The 10th monthly UFO café meeting was held on April 3, 2014, featuring investigator Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos. The event included discussions on abductions and a presentation by Olmos, who has over 400 publications on the subject.
• Montreal, Canada: The AQU (Association Québécoise d'Ufologie) held its monthly supper on March 29, 2014, featuring a presentation by Marc St-Germain on Roswell and UFO crash mysteries, drawing from his book 'Les Gardiens du Silence'. The event also included a segment on 'UFO Mundo' (global UFO observations for March 2014) and a presentation by Gilles Milot on 'The G2 cloud and Yellowstone Park'.
• Mendoza, Argentina: The 26th UFO café meeting took place on March 26, 2014, at Café Five Stars. The meeting included discussions on the 'Cosmos' documentary series and the legacy of Carl Sagan. Attendees included Mariano Molina, Chango Tulián, Carlos Nieto, Martín Fuentes, Raúl Díaz, Ariel Godoy, Mario Obrador, Roberto Di Lorenzo, and Oscar Ferreyra. The event also involved discussions about a potential documentary on the 1968 Fernando Villegas and Juan Carlos Peccinetti experience, which involved a close encounter, physical evidence, and telepathic messages.

Recent UFO Sightings and Experiences

The issue includes a detailed account of a recent UFO sighting experience by Ariel Godoy and Juan Manuel Lima on March 2, 2014, near Uspallata, Mendoza. They observed a luminous, spherical object with an orange-reddish hue that exhibited complex movements, including descending, ascending, and corkscrew-like motions. The object appeared twice, with the second sighting being similar to the first. A third sighting occurred later that night, involving the same object exhibiting rapid vertical and horizontal movements before disappearing into the clouds. The observers noted that such sightings are not uncommon in the area, as suggested by a painting depicting a figure welcoming visitors to a 'nave' (ship).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the sharing of information, ideas, and serious research into the UFO phenomenon. It encourages reader participation and communication for the diffusion of their contributions. The editorial stance appears to be open to investigating and discussing UFO phenomena without prejudice, emphasizing the importance of collecting and analyzing data from witnesses and investigations. The publication serves as a platform for ufologists, researchers, and enthusiasts to connect and share their findings.