Gracias a la Vida- a classic song from the Latin American left, as sung by Argentinian singer/activist Mercedes Sosa. 

On September 11, 1973 Augusto Pinochet overthrew the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende and led a regime that murdered artists, doctors, labourers, students, visionaries… and sent many of Chile’s surviving dreamers into exile…..

It was by luck, or by fate, or both, that one of these children of exile became my friend. And in honour of the revolutionary love between friends I choose today to honour the history of Chile’s activist generation of the 1970s who risked life and soul in the name of a people-centred vision. The so called ‘Cold’ War was never cold. Today I celebrate Chilenas and Chilenos who resisted and persisted, and mourn those whose lives were lost and the sadness that lingers in the hearts of those who loved them. 

As she sings, so do I : ” el canto de ustedes que es mi proprio canto” :: the song of all of you, which is my own song

❤ Jessica