Argentine singer tours Brazil amidst political turmoil

Argentine singer Liliana Herrero is performing in Porto Alegre, Brazil as part of “La Pampa Grande,” a show celebrating 30 years of cultural exchange between Argentina and Brazil.

The performance brings together musicians from both countries, aiming to overcome a perceived “invisible wall” separating them. Herrero views the opportunity to perform abroad as particularly important, given the current difficult situation in Argentina.

Herrero discussed the musical traditions of both nations, noting Brazil’s diverse rhythms and Argentina’s more melancholic tones, but emphasized the fruitful dialogue between them. She believes a song’s power lies in its connection to a specific territory and its memory, seeing singing as a way to build and critically examine that territory. She prefers the term “testimony” to “protest song,” viewing music as a way to bear witness to the realities of a country and preserve its memory.

Herrero sharply criticized the economic policies of Argentine President Javier Milei, denouncing the repression of protests and calling for unity among opposition parties. She urged collective action, joining marches, building communities, and strengthening resistance, as essential responses to the current crisis, describing a situation marked by widespread unemployment, debt, and government repression of peaceful demonstrations. She also expressed concern about the potential privatization of Argentina’s natural resources and the government’s shifting stance on the Falkland Islands/Malvinas.