The Right to Live in Peace - Formed in Santiago de Chile in 1967, the band Inti-Illimani is closely associated with the political songs of Nueva Canción Chilena and with names like Victor Jara. They supported the government of the socialist Salvador Allende, and after the military coup in 1973 the musicians - back from a tour of Italy - were refused entry to their homeland and therefore had to perform from exile. More than a few recognized the sound of solidarity in the protest songs of singer and guitarist Horacio Salinas and his comrades-in-arms. They were concerned with exploring the traditional music of Latin America and the lore of indigenous cultures, combining their music-making with political engagement. They sang against injustice, oppression and exploitation, against war and violence, campaigned for freedom in a democratic society with humane living conditions.
Most of their concerns have lost none of their relevance half a century later. Even more, the concerts of these days take place under the impression of the alarming news from Latin America and precisely also in Chile. The situation in the country was most recently the subject of an OHCHR report. "The mission sent to Chile by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Michelle Bachelet, to investigate allegations against security forces in the recent unrest presented its report on Dec. 13. The UN experts confirm what eyewitness reports, pictures and video recordings have been showing the world public for weeks: During the unrest in Chile, there were numerous, sometimes massive attacks and serious human rights violations, including torture. In the process, there have been deaths and injuries, many of which have left permanent life-changing damage such as hemiplegic blindness." Inti-Illimani's performances are also intended to draw attention to precisely this.
Text source and further information on the event: https://www.brotfabrik.de/events/inti-illimani-historico/
Most of their concerns have lost none of their relevance half a century later. Even more, the concerts of these days take place under the impression of the alarming news from Latin America and precisely also in Chile. The situation in the country was most recently the subject of an OHCHR report. "The mission sent to Chile by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Michelle Bachelet, to investigate allegations against security forces in the recent unrest presented its report on Dec. 13. The UN experts confirm what eyewitness reports, pictures and video recordings have been showing the world public for weeks: During the unrest in Chile, there were numerous, sometimes massive attacks and serious human rights violations, including torture. In the process, there have been deaths and injuries, many of which have left permanent life-changing damage such as hemiplegic blindness." Inti-Illimani's performances are also intended to draw attention to precisely this.
