Rencontres Ufologiques - 2014 05 26 - No 040

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Les Informations du jour des Rencontres Ufologiques" (Reference: 040-26-05-2014) is dated May 26, 2014. It is published by Les Rencontres Ufologiques and the Fédération Francophone d'Ufologie (FFU), with a website at www.les-rencontres-ufologiques.com. The publication is a private information note and encourages readers to submit their findings.

The 23rd UFO Meeting in Corrientes

The main article details the 23rd meeting of the "Café Ufológico de Corrientes" held on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at the Capitulo 1 bookstore in Corrientes, Argentina. The meeting, which began at 7 PM, was attended by Mirian Cristina Alarcón, Marcelo Juan Gainza, Stella Maris Ruiz Diaz, Valeria Solís, Francisco Villagrán, and the author, Andrés Salvador. Key topics discussed included the distinction between field investigators and 'armchair' investigators, and a critique of this dichotomy from a scientific research perspective.

Argentine UFO Cases

Francisco Villagrán shared his experience as the primary investigator of the Santa Ana case, a close encounter of the third kind involving Mr. Rito Melgarejo, which occurred on March 17, 1986, near Santa Ana, Corrientes. He also discussed the Ituzaingó case, reported on August 25, 1985, by the newspaper "El Litoral." This case involved an unidentified couple who witnessed a close encounter of the third kind near Ituzaingó, Corrientes, on August 24, 1985. The article notes the credibility of the journalist Norma Massa, who reported the story.

A caricature by cartoonist Mario Augusto Mauriño (known as Chaque) accompanies an article about the Ituzaingó case.

Funding and Near-Death Experiences

The meeting also touched upon the need for funding for UFO research and the necessity of having trained personnel and technical resources. Additionally, near-death experiences (NDEs) and related testimonies were discussed.

Vatican and Extraterrestrial Information

A point of discussion was the alleged collaboration between the Vatican and the United States government to keep information about extraterrestrials secret.

Book Presentation

Valeria Solís received a copy of Dr. Roberto Banchs' book, "Guía Biográfica de la Ufología Argentina: Los primeros veinticinco años (1947-1972)," donated by the author for participants of the Café meetings.

Upcoming Meeting

The 24th meeting of the Café Ufológico de Corrientes was scheduled for June 4, 2014, at the same time and location.

Tour of Conferences in Southeast France and Morocco UFO Dossier

The magazine highlights the dynamic nature of UFO meetings across various cities, driven by the collective effort to understand and disseminate information about UFOs. It mentions specific groups and their activities:

• Lyon: Animated by Daniel Robin and his team, focusing on unexplained phenomena and sciences.
• Montpellier: Led by Thierry Gaulin's team, including Bruno Bousquet, Thierry Puech, Jean Baptiste Colonel, and Bernard Dupi.
• Marseille: Supported by Bernard Hugues and Jean Charles Hild, focusing on the UFO dossier, the paranormal, and related sciences.
• Toulon: Hosted by Gilbert Attard and Francine, with a particularly warm reception.

UFO Meetings in Sainte Vallière

The article mentions the UFO meetings in Sainte Vallière, near Béziers, France, which are held in the smallest bistro in town. Despite small attendance, Stephan Meyer continues to organize them at the "LO GALL" bistro.

Links are provided for information on these various meetings:

• Lyon: http://rencontres-sciences-inexplique.com/gerard-lebat.html
• Montpellier: http://ovnilanguedoc.canalblog.com/archives/2014/05/17/29887871.html
• Toulon: http://www.cropsciences.org/index.php/sorties-et-conferences/les-conferences-passees/263-samedi-17-mai-2014
• Marseille: https://www.facebook.com/groups/343522602433929/?ref=ts&fref=ts

MUFON-France E-Learning Platform

The MUFON-France has revamped its distance learning platform for investigators, moving from the Belgian Claroline platform to Moodle, a widely used e-learning system. The new platform aims to be more user-friendly with improved ergonomics, simpler course structure, personal file management, specialized discussion forums, and self-inscription capabilities. The goal is to provide a comprehensive training tool for communication, debate, and collaborative work.

Obituary: Valery Pavlovitch Burdakov

Valery Pavlovitch Burdakov, a distinguished Russian scientist, engineer, and co-author of the popular book "Rockets of the Future," passed away on April 22, 2014. He had a significant career, working for 32 years in Sergey Korolev's design bureau, contributing to Soviet ballistic missiles, launch vehicles, satellites, and spacecraft. Burdakov authored over 400 works in engineering sciences and had met with Soviet and Russian cosmonauts, learning about unusual experiences. He studied UFOs for over sixty years, was against pseudoscience, and believed that 3% of alien stories were real. He revealed Stalin's interest in UFOlogy, detailing how Sergey Korolyov was tasked by Stalin to analyze foreign materials related to UFOs, including reports of sightings over the USSR. Burdakov also investigated the failure of the Phobos 2 mission, proposing a hypothesis that intelligent beings on Mars might have interfered with the probe due to constant observation.

Chinese UFO Crash Mystery Solved

A report by Céline Bayet discusses the investigation into a metallic sphere that fell from the sky in Qiqihar, China. Initially suspected to be a UFO crash, Chinese experts concluded that the fragments belonged to a Russian rocket carrying a satellite that had crashed shortly after launch. This information was confirmed by Russian space authorities.

RIO54 UFO Meeting in Buenos Aires

The next meeting of Café Ufológico RIO54 was scheduled for June 5, 2014, at 6:30 PM at Café de La Subasta in Buenos Aires. The May meeting was noted for being the largest yet, with over 40 attendees, marking the fourth anniversary of RIO54. The meeting celebrated the growth of the initiative, which started with only four people in 2010, and emphasized the strengthening of friendships among participants.

Several individuals shared their experiences and insights at the RIO54 meeting:

• Matías Barbarossa recounted an experience from 1984 involving a large, flashing white light in the sky.
• Roberto Yáñez shared a personal account from his childhood (1954) of observing a large, gray, egg-shaped object in a wheat field in Uruguay, which then ascended and moved away. He also noted developing psychic abilities after this experience.
• Carlos Turus, an experienced ufologist, shared his research trajectory and recalled personalities like journalist Américo Barrios and Father Benito Segundo Reyna. He described a significant observation from his childhood home in 1970 of a light moving erratically before heading towards the Río de la Plata.
• Oleg Bakulin, a Ukrainian technician, recounted a singular experience from 1989 in a forest near Járkov, where he saw a gray saucer-shaped object with an open square door and three strange, spider-like beings nearby. His account was met with skepticism by his family.
• Eduardo Grosso presented his research on abductions and bedroom visitors, noting that between 1989 and 1992, about 25-30 cases were documented in Buenos Aires, often involving successful entrepreneurs or artists with high IQs and O+ blood type.
• Rigoberto Muñoz, a Chilean sociologist, discussed his thesis on the discursive configuration of Chilean ufology, highlighting its claim to scientific legitimacy while exhibiting dogmatic and messianic attitudes akin to religious thought, a form of "techno-syncretism."
• Fernando Diz announced the discovery of 30 previously unknown psychographs by Benjamín Solari Parravicini, dating from 1973. These images suggest that the "gray man" prophesied by Parravicini might be the current Pope Francis.
• Javier Stagnaro recalled advice from Ing. Sigurd Von Wurmb to be wary of double-line psychographs, as Parravicini typically drew with a single line.

Book Exchange and Donations

The meeting included a raffle of items donated by attendees and a book lending system to build a circulating library for RIO54 members.

Upcoming Events

• AQU Montreal: The next AQU supper was rescheduled to Saturday, June 14, 2014, due to the UFO401 congress on May 31 and June 1, and subsequent holidays.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue emphasizes the active and growing ufological community in Argentina and France, with a focus on regular meetings and information sharing. The publication highlights the importance of field research, the documentation of historical and contemporary UFO cases, and the development of investigative skills through platforms like MUFON-France's e-learning. There's a clear stance against pseudoscience and hoaxes, as exemplified by Valery Burdakov's perspective, while acknowledging the potential reality of a small percentage of UFO phenomena. The editorial tone is informative and community-oriented, encouraging participation and the sharing of experiences and knowledge.

This document is an announcement for events organized by 'CAFE OVNI Valencia', a ufological group based in Valencia, Spain. It details upcoming meetings, a documentary premiere, and an anniversary celebration. The content is primarily in Spanish, with some French for reports on ufological gatherings in France.

May 8, 2014 Meeting: Documentary Premiere and Debate

The main event announced is the 11th Ufological Meeting of Valencia, held on Thursday, May 8, 2014, starting at 19:00 at El Forcat cafeteria. The highlight of the evening is the premiere of the documentary "I Know the Truth," presented by 'Creaciones VM'. This documentary, directed by Musta Gómez, aims to explore various opinions and aspects related to the UFO phenomenon, featuring contributions from writers, divulgators, and enthusiasts. The event will also include a live Skype connection with the director, Musta Gómez, and an open debate on UFO cases. Following this, there will be an 'OVNI Survey 2014' to gauge public opinion on extraterrestrial matters at a state level.

The announcement clarifies that the meeting date was moved from the usual first Thursday of the month (May 1st, a public holiday) to May 8th.

Documentary Details

"I Know the Truth" is described as a documentary by 'Creaciones VM de Ripollet' that seeks to explain different perspectives on the UFO phenomenon. It is directed by Musta Gómez, with location by Gerard Rincón. The music is by DK4, and it features participants such as Nando Dominguez, Samuel Garcia, Rebeca Revuelta, Ester Castro, Esmeralda Alonso, and Miguel Díaz. The redaction is by Laura G. The music is specifically composed for the documentary by Gerard Rincón.

Anniversary Event: June 12, 2014

'CAFE OVNI Valencia' is also promoting a special anniversary event on June 12, 2014, starting at 19:00 at the same venue. This event, themed "ESPECIAL ONNIS Y CONCIENCIA" (Special UFOs and Consciousness), marks the first anniversary of their meetings. The focus will be on the underlying reasons for people gathering to discuss UFOs and the potential for exponential change in group consciousness related to cosmic connection. The event will include a toast and the third issue of the 'FANZINUFO' gazette. Speakers for this event include Sofia Gomez, Alex Muñoz, Carlos Cortina, and Luis Pisu, who will discuss possible connections to spiritual advancement through the UFO phenomenon. The event will be broadcast live via YouTube on the 'CAFE OVNI Valencia ESPAÑA' channel.

Reports on Ufological Meetings in France

The magazine issue also includes reports on ufological gatherings in France:

• Lons Le Saunier: A regular meeting takes place on the first Sunday of each month at the restaurant 'LA TABLE D'EMMA' (formerly CHEZ EMMA) in Chantrans, directed by Raymond Taffin. The report mentions a meeting on May 4, 2014, with about ten attendees discussing UFO news. The next meeting was scheduled for June 1, 2014.
• Sainte Valière: A meeting was held on May 10, 2014, at 'LO GAL', described as the smallest bistro in Sainte Valière. The event was a 'barcamp' style non-conference, with only two or three attendees. Despite the small turnout, the organizer, Stéphan Meyer, remains hopeful for future gatherings. A document compiling ideas from this meeting is available online.
• Biol (Nord-Isère): An all-day ufological event was organized by Thierry Gay and 'Les Portes de l'Univers' on Saturday, May 31, 2014. The program included presentations by Thierry Gay, Daniel Robin ('Ovni Investigations'), Daniel Harran ('Crop circles, the keys to mystery'), Denis Alarcon and Bruno Mazzocchi ('Reports of investigations and testimonies on UFO manifestations'), and Thierry Gay again ('UFOs of the Hudson River'). The event cost €10 and included a debate with the public and speakers.

'Les Rencontres Ufologiques' Website

The issue promotes 'Les Rencontres Ufologiques', a federating website for sharing ideas, information, meetings, and articles related to ufology. It encourages participation and offers a free newsletter subscription via email.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO phenomena, documentaries, public opinion surveys on extraterrestrials, and the exploration of consciousness in relation to UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting open discussion, sharing information, and fostering a community around ufology. The organization actively seeks to engage the public through regular meetings, documentaries, and surveys, and also highlights international ufological activities, particularly in France.