The group was formed by students at Universidad Técnica del Estado at Santiago, Chile in 1967. In 1973 as they were on tour abroad, Pinochet came to power. Having heard of the numerous extra-judicial killings of many fellow artists by Chile‘s army, they took up residence in Italy. They continued their efforts supporting democracy internationally; samizdat copies of their work continued to be widely distributed in Chile. In September 1988, days after they were no longer banned from their home country, they began touring Chile again. They helped organize the voting down of the referendum that would have re-elected Pinochet. Recently, they were actually supported by Chile as representatives of Chilean culture. Much like a Zen affirmation, Inti-Illimani’s music floats within your soul with sounds of traditional Latin American music with the windows open paying attention to its surroundings. Come out March 15th to see this very special group as they celebrate a new album release and their 40th anniversary at our Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts.
Check out my conversation with founding member Jorge Coulon here.
