In Las Vegas, Chilean magician Jean Paul Olhaberry was crowned the best geoescapist at the Merlin Awards 2022 of the decade, known internationally as the Oscars of Magic. "It is very clear to me that Jean Paul is the modern Houdini," said Danny T., Latin American Ambassador for the International Magician Society in the United States.
The Chilean illusionist Jean Paul Olhaberry, known as the "Magician of the end of the world", ranked among the 10 best magicians in the world according to the International Federation of Magic Societies, received this May 19 in Las Vegas, the award for GeoEscapist for the Merlin Awards 2022 of the decade, known internationally as the Oscars of Magic, after being the only Latin American nominated for these awards along with the most recognized exponents worldwide such as David Copperfield, David Blaine, Chriss Angel and Penn and Teller.
"It is a tremendous honor to present the first Chilean with this Gold Merlin Award in recognition of his achievements for the whole world to know, be amazed and marvel at his art," said Danny T, Latin American Ambassador for the International Magician Society (IMS) from Las Vegas. "Not only is he expanding the art of magic in Latin America and the world, but he is making remarkable contributions to the discipline of Escapism with his unique style, never seen before, where he connects magic with the surrounding geography: performing not only under extreme conditions, but in wild environments where nature takes center stage in the most extenuating circumstances. Olhaberry is taking the art of escape to a new level. It is very clear to me that Jean Paul is the modern day Houdini," says Danny T, Latin American Ambassador for the International Magician Society.
From Las Vegas, Olhaberry said that this recognition was achieved thanks to "a very hard work where I have had to overcome thousands of obstacles; being in Las Vegas today with my idols, the best magicians in the world, is a dream come true and I got it because I love what I do. Magic is not just a show, it is an art capable of transforming my life and the lives of others. This award is for my family, my team and for Chile. Thanks to my teacher Fernando Larraín for always inspiring my path. Just like Harry Houdini, I will take the art of escapism to the highest places in memory and to the most amazing places in the world", said the escapologist after the award ceremony in the United States.
Prior to the pandemic, during 2019, the illusionist Jean Paul Olhaberry performed a series of acts of escapism in different natural scenarios in Chile that captured the attention of his international peers, which, added to his trajectory, made him become the only Latin American nominated for the Merlin Awards of the decade. Several acts have led him to be at the top of world magic, such as a spectacular escape of chains submerged in the coasts of Easter Island; a straitjacket escape at 100 meters high hanging from the Viaducto del Malleco bridge, in Araucania; and a static apnea record of 07:41 minutes in a water container in the Plaza Sotomayor in Valparaiso, with which he surpassed the famous American escape artist David Blaine.
This recognition positions Chile in the international scene of this discipline that captures attention around the world. "This recognition puts Chile on the map of world magic, from the sidewalk of talent, and that is precisely what we at Imagen de Chile seek to promote. We want the world to know that we are much more than incredible landscapes, that we have a great capacity to create and innovate in the most diverse areas. And Jean Paul Olhaberry is a clear example of that; of how Chile is at the forefront, installing geoscaping as a new way to show Chile's talent to the world", says the executive director of Imagen de Chile, Constanza Cea.
The National Director (S) of Sernatur, Beatriz Román, said that "for us as a country it is a source of pride that a Chilean like Jean Paul Olhaberry represents us in such important instances as these. It is a tremendous contribution to position Chile on the main stages of the world. In the same sense, it is a boost to the country's international promotion campaign "Chile, where the impossible is possible", since through his performances he embodies precisely that spirit by taking on challenges that seem impossible but that he manages to overcome while attractively showing our country to the rest of the world".
For Javier Valenzuela Bravo, Executive Secretary of the Performing Arts of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, "magic and illusionism are part of the diversity of the national performing arts, and are characterized by their narrative, their skill and the risk they expose in each creation. In Chile, both in circus tents and other stages, we have seen outstanding artists who have developed this scenic field, transmitting their knowledge and amazing tricks through different generations, which has allowed preserving its particularities, at a level that today is recognized worldwide. This award to Jean Paul Olhaberry is clear proof that the work of our artists transcends borders," he said, after the Chilean received the award in Las Vegas along with the most important exponents of magic in the world.
To celebrate his triumph, Olhaberry is preparing a surprising event with which, upon his return from Las Vegas, he intends to add new records for Chile, kicking off a series of events that will be held in iconic places in different regions of Chile to continue installing and strengthening the messages "Chile, where the impossible is possible" and "Chile Creating the Future" that the country is positioning and highlighting internationally to highlight Chilean talent and the country's tourist destinations.