VÃctor Lidio Jara MartÃnez (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈβiktoɾ
ˈliðjo ˈxaɾa maɾˈtines]; 28 September 1932 â€" 16 September
1973) was a Chilean teacher, theater director, poet, singer-songwriter
and communist political activist tortured and killed during the
dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. He developed Chilean theater by
directing a broad array of works, ranging from locally produced plays
to world classics, as well as the experimental work of playwrights
such as Ann Jellicoe. He also played a pivotal role among
neo-folkloric musicians who established the Nueva Canción Chilena
(New Chilean Song) movement. This led to an uprising of new sounds in
popular music during the administration of President Salvador
Allende.Jara was arrested shortly after the Chilean coup of 11
September 1973, which overthrew Allende. He was tortured during
interrogations and ultimately shot dead, and his body was thrown out
on the street of a shantytown in Santiago. The contrast between the
themes of his songsâ€"which focused on love, peace, and social
justiceâ€"and the brutal way in which he was murdered transformed Jara
into a "potent symbol of struggle for human rights and justice" for
those killed during the Pinochet regime. His preponderant role as an
open admirer and propagandist for Che Guevara and Allende's
government, under which he served as a cultural ambassador through the
late 60's and until the early 70's crisis that ended in the coup
against Allende, marked him for death.In June 2016, a Florida jury
found former Chilean Army officer Pedro Barrientos liable for Jara's
murder. In July 2018, eight retired Chilean military officers were
sentenced to 15 years and a day in prison for Jara's murder.
ˈliðjo ˈxaɾa maɾˈtines]; 28 September 1932 â€" 16 September
1973) was a Chilean teacher, theater director, poet, singer-songwriter
and communist political activist tortured and killed during the
dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. He developed Chilean theater by
directing a broad array of works, ranging from locally produced plays
to world classics, as well as the experimental work of playwrights
such as Ann Jellicoe. He also played a pivotal role among
neo-folkloric musicians who established the Nueva Canción Chilena
(New Chilean Song) movement. This led to an uprising of new sounds in
popular music during the administration of President Salvador
Allende.Jara was arrested shortly after the Chilean coup of 11
September 1973, which overthrew Allende. He was tortured during
interrogations and ultimately shot dead, and his body was thrown out
on the street of a shantytown in Santiago. The contrast between the
themes of his songsâ€"which focused on love, peace, and social
justiceâ€"and the brutal way in which he was murdered transformed Jara
into a "potent symbol of struggle for human rights and justice" for
those killed during the Pinochet regime. His preponderant role as an
open admirer and propagandist for Che Guevara and Allende's
government, under which he served as a cultural ambassador through the
late 60's and until the early 70's crisis that ended in the coup
against Allende, marked him for death.In June 2016, a Florida jury
found former Chilean Army officer Pedro Barrientos liable for Jara's
murder. In July 2018, eight retired Chilean military officers were
sentenced to 15 years and a day in prison for Jara's murder.
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