Music from Chilean exile: memories and textile creation

Abstract

This text explores the process, development, and outcomes of a public initiative held in September and October 2023 in Valparaíso, aimed at connecting sounds, personal stories, and textile art. The primary objective was to bridge Chile’s long history of social activism through textile work with contemporary musicology’s efforts to engage in public debate. At its core, the initiative featured a workshop focused on the collective listening of songs from Chilean musical exile, which acted as powerful emotional and reflective catalysts. It also sought to foster intergenerational connections through the shared creation of a collective textile artwork. Ultimately, the project highlighted how music and art can evoke memories and reshape the narratives of the past.