You may not know his name, but you will never forget his story. On Monday, August 10, 2015, acclaimed speaker and author, Nando Parrado, will make a return appearance to Lake Tahoe to present a keynote address at Sand Harbor State Park in Incline Village.
This fund-raising event for Tahoe Family Solutions starts at 7:30 p.m. and is part of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s Monday Night Showcase.
“Nando Parrado is considered to be one of the best speakers in the world,” said event organizer Elyse Gut. “He continues to make headlines world-wide for his powerful presentation. This is a unique opportunity to hear Nando Parrado’s story first-hand as his limited number of speaking engagements are private.”
His story began on Friday the 13th of October, 1972, when a charter plane carrying 45 rugby team members crashed in the remote Andes Mountains. Facing unthinkable challenges, Parrado and 15 of his Rugby teammates survived for 72 brutal days in the frozen, harsh mountain environment.
For those 72 days, the world thought they were dead, but what 16 survivors endured was unimaginable and far worse than anyone thought could be endured. Parrado and one of his teammates left the plane’s wreckage and trekked for ten days over seemingly impassable 14,000-foot peaks to find help.
“Nando Parrado has the innate ability to infuse his experiences and messages into your heart and soul,” said Lee Weber Koch, board member of Tahoe Family Solutions. “His legendary tale gave me a greater respect for life, which in turn, fueled my own passion to do more with what I have been given on earth.”
This true story was documented in the book Alive, written by Piers Paul Read which was later made into a movie with actor Ethan Hawke portraying Parrado. In 2006, Parrado became the New York Times bestselling author of Miracle in the Andes. He is also featured on the History Channel’s documentary I Am Alive which was originally aired in 2011 and continues to be aired around the world.
“Through Parrado’s perspective, the audience will have the opportunity to experience the nearly two and half months of heroism and tragedy through the eyes and memories of the man who lived it,” Gut explained. “It is a story of family, friendship, loyalty, faith and perseverance experienced at the human level that will touch your heart and leave it with an elevated perception of the value of human life.”
Miracle in the Andes will include Parrado’s Keynote Address which will be followed by a 30-minute question and answer session and book signing opportunity.
Ticket sales will start at 9:00 am on March 16, 2015 through the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s website at www.laketahoeshakespeare.com or through the Box Office at (800) 74-SHOWS.
