Inti-Illimani Histórico

Inti-Illimani Histórico is a band with deep roots in the native culture of Chile. Their songwriting was also writing history, as the music and politics hand in hand were part of creating a new wave of democratization and socialism in Chile and across Latin America.

Inti means “sun” and Illimani means “golden eagle” in native languages from the Andes mountains in Chile. Rhythms from folk music are performed with instruments such as quena (Andean flute) zampoñas (pan-pipes), and the ten-stringed charango, to stress dignity and pride in native cultural roots.

This year, Chileans across the world are commemorating the coup d'état that took place 50 years ago. In 1973 the democratically elected president Salvador Allende was overthrown by the military under command by General Augusto Pinochet.

“You Can’t Have a Revolution Without Songs” was the message written on a banner placed over Allendes head as he took the stage to greet cheering citizens when he was elected president in 1970. The band Inti Illimani, the predecessor of Inti-Illimani Histórico, created the song Venceremos (We shall win!), a song which became the anthem of Allendes political movement.

The band was central in creating the movement Nueva canción (New Chilean song) and is recognized for having played a profound role in the pro-democracy social upheavals in Portgual, Spain and Latin America.

Because Pinochets military junta were known for performing extrajudicial punishment on artists, Inti Illimani were granted asylum in Italy, where they lived in exile for 15 years. After having returned to Chile, in 2005, three members of the band created Inti-Illimani Histórico and the remaining musicians created Inti-Illimani Nuevo.

Inti-Illimani has created union through music and inspired the Chilean people. Their song “El Pueblo Unido” is one of the most famous protest songs in the world. The people are united!
 

Line up:

Horacio Salinas – vocal, guitar (artistic director)

Horacio Durán – guitar, charango

José Seves – vocal, guitar, percussion

Camilo Salinas – accordeon, keyboard

Fernando Julio – vocal, bass, contrabass, guitarrón

Danilo Donoso – vocal, drums, percussion

Hermes Villalobos – vocal, flute/quena

 

This concert is in collaboration with Radio Latin-America