Contributed by
Judith Skene

Chile Vencera Tape

Date: Around 1980 - 1982

This tape was compiled by a friend when we were both learning Spanish at TAFE evening classes 1980 - 1982. My partner and I met him and his partner at these classes and we have stayed friends for the past 26 years, despite spending most of those years living in different countries.

Our teacher had left Chile after the 1973 coup so we all had an interest in the recent political history of the country. The songs on this tape are a compilation of different artists and groups. They include some of Victor Jara, one of the first casualties of the coup, who was taken to the Sports centre and shot. Many other protestors, including songwriters and artists became 'los desaparecidos', the disappeared, as they were removed by Pinochet's government forces.

Inti Illamani were touring overseas and so escaped and continued to tour and raise awareness for many years.

The tape includes a brief commentary of the last few hours of President Allende's life, as the coup leaders surround and then bomb La Moneda Palace. The theme of the resistance follows: El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido - the country which is united will never be defeated.