Quien Quiera Oir Que Oiga

Silvina Garre's song 'Quien Quiera Oir Que Oiga' is a powerful anthem that speaks to the resilience of memory and the enduring nature of truth in the face of oppression. The lyrics suggest a struggle against forces that attempt to erase history and silence the voices of the marginalized. The repeated lines about forgetting what happens and the risk of repeating the same mistakes underscore the importance of collective memory and learning from the past.

The phrase 'Si la historia la escriben los que ganan, eso quiere decir que hay otra historia: la verdadera historia' is particularly poignant. It implies that the dominant narrative is often written by those in power, but there exists an alternative, more authentic account of events that is kept alive by those who resist forgetting. This idea resonates with the concept of 'historical memory' and the efforts to preserve the stories of those who have been excluded from official histories.

The song's chorus, 'quien quiera oir que oiga,' which translates to 'let whoever wants to hear, listen,' serves as a call to action. It invites listeners to seek out the truth and to listen to the voices that are often suppressed. The assertion that 'inútil es matar, la muerte prueba que la vida existe' (it's useless to kill, death proves that life exists) is a powerful statement about the futility of trying to extinguish ideas and the human spirit. Garre's song is a testament to the power of words and the indomitable will of people to make their stories heard.