Update: The current surprise counter-attack by the government against Washington's war on the Venezuelan economy, led by President Ncolas Maduro, was called for by President Chávez before his death. Last Monday night Maduro offered a powerful message to thousands gathered at Barrio Enero 23rd reviewing the great success of the government's move on the corporations that have been raping the Venezuelan economy, intent on overthrowing the socialist government. The masses in red were again galvanized as they were in the grand marches in Caracas with Chávez, the crowds cheering, women throwing kisses and the men nodding their support for a government that is forever committed to Venezuelan sovereignty and independence. The old Chavista spirit and energy is returning with the people's outrage over the imperialist war on their economy. Toward the end of his speech President Maduro addressed Chávez himself with a salute stating, "Mission Accomplished!" Read Arturo's introduction and translation - and El Comandante singing the music of los llaneros - the music of his birthplace in the plains of Venezuela. We are forever grateful to him for his transformation of a country and as one who brought hope and power to the poor and castaways of the world. Hear Chávez sing again and you will understand our sadness and our joy ... what we have lost and all that we have gained.
- Les in Venezuela Axis of Logic, March 13, 2013 - We are grateful to our columnist, Arturo Rosales for introducing this performance of Motivos llaneros by Comandante Hugo Chávez. He also translated the lyrics from Venezuelan Spanish into English which can be read like a meditation. Poetry is the most difficult of all literature to translate and Arturo's translation is exemplary. President Chávez' interpretation of the song helps us to know the man, his people and his country. Most of the university students listening to him sing would never have received an education without him. Arturo provides us with background from the President's early years on the Venezuelan plains, his song and this music. - Les Blough in Venezuela Most US readers will simply think of President Chávez as a politician. He was and still is far more than that. He is being called the “redeemer of the poor” in Latin America and even though this may sound too religious to US ears and understanding, it is a true perception of how he is regarded after his untimely death by the humble and poor majority in Venezuela and throughout the Patria Grande, or Big Homeland, of Latin America. Hugo Chávez was a boy from the countryside, the Venezuelan Plains (los llanos) born in Barinas state, a long way from the bright lights of Caracas in the 1950´s. As such he grew up with plains music (música llanera) and even though he did not play an instrument such as cuatro or arpa, the traditional instruments of Venezuelan plains music, he has a more than acceptable voice. Chávez put heart and soul into his singing. He enjoyed performing in public for his supporters since he was actively and personally contributing to the revival of Venezuelan culture which had been pushed into backwaters by rock music, cable and satellite television as well the proliferation of hundreds of FM radio stations managed by people who wanted to be “modern” (i.e. fans of US culture). It is important to appreciate that plains music is a reflection of the Venezuelan soul and comes from “deepest Venezuela”. There is a saying that a plainsman who does not sing must be deaf and dumb! This is the block from which President Chávez was hewn and together with declaiming poetry about historical revolutionary figures such as Bolívar and his great-grandfather Maisanta, the last man on horseback, Chávez’ enthusiasm virtually single-handedly inspired the revival of this unique musical genre. We present President Chávez singing “Motivos llaneros” (the Pull or Call of the Plains) at a meeting of students in Cojedes state during the 2012 election campaign, when he was sick with cancer, only about 4 months before he crossed over. On March 8th 2013, Cristobal Jimenez performed the same song at President Chávez funeral. Cristobal was a good friend of the President and is perhaps the best or certainly the highest profile coplero (singer from the plains) in the country at the moment, The song was written by Ángel Ávila from the plains state of Guárico. Ávila, who died in December 2010, was a simple man who loved the Venezuelan plains and sang about them with flowing verses and a notable sentiment. He was particularly known for his landscape descriptions as we can see in “Motives llaneros”. His songs are an open book of musical poetry dedicated to the inspiration of the simple life and reflections brought forth by the vast extensions of untainted spaces and the feelings evoked by them and their legends. - Arturo Rosales, Columnist
The red sun of the evening
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