Santiago

At Carmen 340

In 1965, Isabel and Ángel Parra opened a gathering place in an old house at Carmen 340 in Santiago. At the Peña de los Parra, musicians and listeners shared songs, food and conversation. Víctor Jara was among the performers.

The peña became associated with the Nueva Canción Chilena, a movement that drew on folk traditions and addressed social and political life. Jara worked there alongside musicians including Rolando Alarcón and Patricio Manns.

In “Te recuerdo Amanda”, Jara tells of Amanda and Manuel, workers whose meeting is limited to a short break. The factory siren marks the time available to them. Manuel leaves for the mountains and does not return.

After the military coup in September 1973, Jara was detained in the Estadio Chile and killed. The building, now the Estadio Víctor Jara, is a site of memory. It had also hosted a Nueva Canción festival in 1969, where Jara performed before an audience.