Conversations on “El pueblo unido”: Toward an Alternative Memory of the 50th Anniversary

Abstract

In 2023, the 50th anniversary of the song “El pueblo unido jamás será vencido” composed by Sergio Ortega and performed by Quilapayún, prompted the creation of the documentary Himno. La vuelta al mundo de El pueblo unido jamás será vencido. This project delves into the song’s internationalization as a global anthem of resistance, within the commemorations of Chile's 1973 coup d’état. This document discusses the exhibition and mediation activities for this documentary understood as an experience of public musicology. It highlights the experiences in various cultural contexts, including official and grassroots spaces, as well as the emotional and political responses from diverse audiences. Additionally, it addresses generational tensions and the appropriation of collective memory through music, analyzing the enduring influence of “El pueblo unido” as a catalyst for dialogues on memory, resistance, and contemporary social movements.