Víctor Jara

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

"Love of my home, my wife and my children.
Love for the earth that helps me live.
Love for education and of work.
Love of others who work for the common good.
Love of justice as the instrument that provides equilibrium for human dignity.
Love of peace in order to enjoy one's life.
Love of freedom, but not the freedom acquired at the expense of others’ freedom, but rather the freedom of all.
Love of freedom to live and exist, for the existence of my children, in my home, in my town, my city, among neighbouring people.
Love for freedom in the environment in which we are required to forge our destiny.
Love of freedom without yokes: neither ours nor foreign."

When asked, four days before the military coup of September 11, 1973, what the word ‘Love’ meant to him.

- Víctor Jara, born 28 September 1932.

Chilean teacher, theatre director, poet, singer-songwriter, political activist and member of the Communist Party of Chile. A distinguished theatre director, he devoted himself to the development of Chilean theatre. Simultaneously he played a pivotal role among neo-folkloric artists who established the Nueva Canción Chilena (New Chilean Song). Shortly after the coup of 11 September 1973, he was arrested, tortured and ultimately executed. His bullet-riddled body was later dumped in the street. The contrast between the themes of his songs, on love, peace and social justice and the brutal way in which he was murdered transformed Jara into a symbol of struggle for human rights and justice worldwide.