Just after ten pm on Thursday, November 19th, the day in which the city of La Plata, capital of the province of Buenos Aires (Argentina), celebrated the 127th anniversary of its foundation, one of the most popular Argentinean singer-songwriters, León Gieco, appeared before 100,000 people wearing a sweatshirt bearing the slogan “World March for Peace and Nonviolence.”
In the early evening in Plaza Moreno, before León Gieco’s huge show, there had been performances by ten local groups. Gieco performed his most popular songs, such as “El fantasma de Canterville”, “En el país de la libertad”, “Hombres de hierro”, “Bandidos rurales” and “El Angel de la Bicicleta”, with thousands of young people and families joining in the choruses.
Gieco is well known in Argentina for his support for the most important social causes, both in the words of his songs and for his willingness to make personal appearances. In this way, he has earned the affection and the loyalty of three generations of Argentineans. The musician has mainly been involved in denouncing the virulent military dictatorship endured by the Argentinean people from 1976 to 1983, during which more than 30,000 people disappeared.
After the emotional presentation at La Plata, more than 100,000 people sang a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ for the city, and for León himself, who took the opportunity to celebrate his own birthday. The evening ended with the sky illuminated by fireworks, which ended the celebrations of the 127th anniversary of the Buenos Aires provincial capital.
Organisers of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence were very pleased with the welcome they received from León Gieco, which allowed them to publicise this global initiative to the utmost. The project is trying to create a “nonviolent consciousness,” promoting nuclear disarmament, the elimination of war and the overcoming of all forms of violence in society. With the festival at La Plata, thousands of young people were made aware of the World March, which has been little covered by the local mass media.
Source: ImpulsoBaires (IB) www.impulosbaires.com.ar
