'The right to live in peace'

Founded in Santiago de Chile in 1967, the band Inti-Illimani is closely associated with the political songs of the Nueva Canción Chilena and with names such as Victor Jara. They supported the government of socialist Salvador Allende. After the military coup in 1973, the musicians - back from a tour of Italy - were denied entry to their homeland and therefore had to work from exile. Quite a few people recognized the sound of solidarity in the protest songs of singer and guitarist Horacio Salinas and his comrades-in-arms. They were interested in exploring the traditional music of Latin America and the traditions of indigenous cultures, combining their musical creations with political commitment. They sang against injustice, oppression and exploitation, against war and violence, and campaigned for freedom in a democratic society with humane living conditions.
Even half a century later, most of their concerns have lost none of their topicality. What's more, the concerts these days are taking place against the backdrop of alarming news from Latin America, including Chile. The situation in the country was 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 December 13. The UN experts confirm what eyewitness reports, pictures and video recordings have been showing the world for weeks: The unrest in Chile has resulted in numerous, sometimes massive attacks and serious human rights violations, including torture. There have been deaths and injuries, many of whom have suffered permanent life-changing damage such as hemiplegia." Inti-Illimani's performances are also intended to draw attention to precisely this. (Press release)