Free (Libre)

Music piece by:
José Luis Armenteros and Pablo Herrero, popularised by Nino Bravo.
Testimony by:
Marianella Ubilla
Experience in:
Campamento Prisioneros Estadio Regional, Christmas 1973

I was taken prisoner on 23 November 1973, at the University of Concepción. In the Regional Stadium of Concepción, we had to sing the National Anthem every day.

They would always play military marching music. I think they did that to show that they were the bosses.

During the Christmas celebrations, we sang Nino Bravo’s 'Libre' (Free). At the same time, you could hear the National Anthem.

I was 18 years old at the time and thought: 'What am I doing here if all I did was work for an ideal, for a more just society?'.

After Christmas, I was taken to Fort Borgoño in Talcahuano. There I just heard screams and bayonets.

I was a prisoner for eight months and then I was sentenced to three years of probation, ordered to sign a register every week. Every week they would take me from my house at 4 or 5 am to torture me.

My siblings, who were also political prisoners, have tried to kill themselves many times.

I am so resilient that I simply decided to stop suffering, but every time I hear 'Free' I feel that, in reality, I'm not free. I am no longer physically abused, but I am socially.


Tags:

Published on: 13 July 2015

He’s almost twenty and already
tired of dreaming
but behind the cement is his home
his world, his city.
He thinks the fence is only
a piece of metal
something that can never stop
his desire to fly.

Free
like the sun at dawn
I am as free as the sea
Like the bird that escaped from its cage
and can at last fly.
Like the wind that embraces my cry
and my grief
an endless path
in search of the truth
and finally, I shall know what freedom is.

Crowned by his love he strode off
singing a song
He strode so happily that he heard
the voice that called him
and lying on the ground he remained
smiling and speechless
on his chest crimson flowers
blossomed incessantly.

Free
like the sun at dawn
I am as free as the sea
Like the bird that escaped from its cage
and can at last fly.
Like the wind that embraces my cry
and my grief
an endless path
in search of the truth
and finally, I shall know what freedom is.

Related testimonies:

  • We Shall Overcome  Alfonso Padilla Silva, Cárcel de Concepción / Cárcel El Manzano, December 1974

    When the concentration camp that operated for nearly five months at the Regional Stadium of Concepción was closed in early February 1974, hundreds of political prisoners were transferred to the Concepción Prison, a wing of which was turned into a concentration camp.

  • The Soldier (El soldado)  Alfonso Padilla Silva, Campamento Prisioneros Estadio Regional, 25 December 1973

    During Christmas 1973, approximately 660 men and 100 women were held as prisoners in the Concepción Regional Stadium. Concentration camp officials allowed us to celebrate Christmas on the pitch. We were in a corner of the pitch and we used the pole vault pit as a stage.

  • The Little Cigarette (El cigarrito)  Alfonso Padilla Silva, Campamento Prisioneros Estadio Regional, 25 December 1973

    During Christmas 1973, I was one of some 600 men and 100 women prisoners in Concepción Regional Stadium.

  • I’m Not from Here - To my Comrade, my Love (No soy de aquí - A mi compañera)  Alfonso Padilla Silva, Campamento Prisioneros Estadio Regional, 25 December 1973

    The choir of male prisoners sang a piece called 'A mi compañera' (To my comrade, my love) to the music of 'No soy de aquí, ni soy de allá' (I'm not from here, nor from there) by Facundo Cabral.

  • The Crux of the Matter (La madre del cordero)  Servando Becerra Poblete, Campamento de Prisioneros Chacabuco, 9 November 1973 - 10 November 1974

    I recited this poem in the National Stadium. I continued to do so in the Chacabuco prison camp, earning the nickname of “Venancio” from my fellow prisoners.

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