Victor Jara

  • Birth

    Birth
    Víctor Lidio Jara Martínez was born September 28, 1932, Lonquén, Chil. His mom is Amanda Martínez. His father is Manuel Jara.
  • Growing Up

    Growing Up
    From age 1-15 he was raised and educated with the effects of poverty. His parents did not make a lot of money. His father was a farmer and his mother was a folk singer.
  • Later Years

    Later Years
    At age 15 he dropped out of high school and went to fulfill his dreams of priesthood. He unfortunately had to give that up and was on the road to join the army. He was discarded after one year of service.
  • Start in Music

    Start in Music
    He started to show an interest in folk music in 1957. This started when he met Violeta Parra. He started to play some folk songs with a “decided leftist bent”.
  • Albums

    Albums
    In 1966 he released his first album, Canto a lo humano. This took off his career. He made many songs, albums, and performances after this.
  • More Albums

    More Albums
    In 1969 he published a new album called I Put into Your Open Hands. He published many after this. For example, in 1971 he made his album The Right to Live in Peace.
  • Campains

    Campains
    Finally, in 1973, he made one of his last songs “Venceremos” for Allende’s political party. During this time he ran for president. Unfortunately he had to leave because a leftist anthem throughout Chile.
  • The Coup

    The Coup
    He soon stopped making performances when he found about his soon killers coup, Pinochet’s. After the coup started on September 11, 1973, he was among thousands of people. The teamed up and went against Pinochet’s forces. After that when they caught him he was beaten repeatedly. He had his fingers smashed by guards and when imprisoned was asked to play and sing as a taunt. He was later killed by Pinochet’s forces.
  • Mural

    Mural
    Around 1973 to 1990 people started to make murals for him. They painted colourful paintings of him, his music. They put so much time into these murals.
  • Death

    Death
    After his funeral and wake he was a national icon. He appeared in new songs. He also had many things named after his a tribute. Like the arena where he was killed was named the Victor Jara Stadium in 2003.