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Mercedes Sosa – More Than A Song
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Mercedes Sosa - More Than A Song
Anette Christensen
The Argentine folk singer and social activist, Mercedes Sosa, was a world-class performer, whose influence went far beyond the borders of music. Blacklisted as being one the most dangerous people to the regime in Argentina in the 1970s, she became the underground reference point for the poor and oppressed, and an icon of democracy who fought South America’s dictators with her voice. Nicknamed, “The Voice of the Voiceless,” Sosa emerged as a legend and a much-loved mother of Latin America. With her powerful voice and compelling stage presence, the Argentine folk singer, Mercedes Sosa, was a world-class performer, whose influence went far beyond the borders of music. Blacklisted as being one the most dangerous people to the regime in Argentina in the 1970s, she became the underground reference point for the poor and oppressed, and an icon of democracy who fought South America’s dictators with her voice. Alongside her lifelong career, which earned her four Grammy Awards, Sosa also worked as Goodwill Ambassador for the children in Latin America and in the Caribbean, and was granted the prestigious position of Vice President of the Earth Council. Nicknamed, “The Voice of the Voiceless,” Sosa emerged as a legend and a much-loved mother of Latin America. Although Mercedes Sosa was one of the most recognized artists in international music, and collaborated with musicians ranging from Luciano Pavarotti, Sting and Joan Baez, she remained an unsung hero outside of Latin America. However, now ten years after her death, Sosa’s legacy continues to shine. Her example of integrity and solidarity lives on and make her a role model who points out the path to a more emphatic and compassionate world. But how did a girl raised in a poor Indian working class family gain such influence? Mercedes Sosa – More than a Song explores the secret behind Sosa’s remarkable impact and reveals how her upbringing, political circumstances and personal tragedies formed her life and her career. Now, ten years after her death, Sosa’s legacy continues to shine. Her example of integrity and solidarity lives on and make her a role model who points out the path to a more emphatic and compassionate world. Her story calls out for the best in all of us. You are about to meet a woman who will inspire you by her courage and authenticity.
Anette Christensen
Mercedes Sosa - More than a Song
Endorsements
“In this work, you will find a new and touching perspective on our beloved Mercedes. It is a heartfelt and affectionate tribute honoring the life of my mother. Thank you, Anette, for all your efforts in the name of the Mercedes Sosa Foundation.”
-Fabián Matus, son of Mercedes Sosa and president of The Mercedes Sosa Foundation.
Tribute
“If Mercedes had embraced you, you’d never forget it. She had the ability to embrace people like no one else in the world; one always had the feeling of being embraced by Mother Earth herself. She took all of us in her arms with her voice, with this unequaled bel canto voice, which was always a pure expression of her soul. There was never anything artificial about this wonderful woman, this brave woman, this icon of courageous resistance to military dictatorship. For me, she radiated the most important thing that makes a great human being: kindness."
-Konstantin Wecker, singer and poet, Germany
Mercedes Sosa
More than a song
Anette Christensen
Mercedes Sosa
More than a Song
A tribute to "La Negra,"
the voice of Latin America
(1935-2009)
No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author. Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.
Publisher: Tribute2Life Publishing
Editors: NY Book Editors & David Larkin
Cover Design: © Tribute2Life Design
Cover Photo: © Ernesto Guerrero Pititore
Back Page Cover Photo: © Reuters
Interior Design: © Tribute2Life Design
Interior Drawings © Anette Christensen
Chapter Opening Illustrations: © by Monica Gaifem
Author Photograph: © Pernille Schmidt
Set with: Lora Font & Antonio Font
First Editions
Mercedes Sosa-More than a Song by Anette Christensen
© 2019 by Anette Christensen. All rights reserved.
Dedication
In honor of Fabián Matus, Mercedes Sosa’s son, who passed away on March 15, 2019, less than ten years after his mother. You worked wholeheartedly for your mother when she was alive and maybe even harder to establish her legacy after her death.
To the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, who in a high age, are still active in their search of the children stolen from their parents and given to the Generals during The Dirty War. You are an example to all of us, that age is no hindrance to making a change in this world.
To people Mercedes Sosa loved and served her entire life. Those who suffer under the burden of poverty, persecution, censorship, torture and social injustice in any form, the indigenous, the disenfranchised, the oppressed, the homeless, the orphans, the depressed, the lonely, and everyone who has never been seen and loved for who they are.
Introduction
ON OCTOBER 4, 2009, when her death was announced on the news, I caught my first glimpse of Mercedes Sosa. There was a very short sequence of her singing “Gracias a la vida” at an acoustic concert in Switzerland in 1980. The first thing that struck me was her authenticity. I could sense that she was a person of tremendous integrity. What she expressed seemed to be in complete accordance with who she was. The intensity and firmness in her voice, the intoning of every note and every word reached me like glassy water reflecting my soul. Her tenderness, profound passion, immense presence, and charisma moved me deeply. I started to watch and listen to Mercedes Sosa on the internet and soon I found myself completely immersed in her life,- a universe of music and love. Tears would run down my cheeks as I watched her and listened to her songs and intuitively, I began to use her eyes like a mirror that reflected back to me what I had missed out on as a child. In her eyes I saw the glance of a mother, a glance that said, “I see who you are, and in my eyes you are wonderful.”
Since my discovery of Mercedes Sosa had such a deep and haunting impact on me, I began searching for any bit of information I could find about her. I soon learned that I wasn’t alone with the experience of being invigorated and transformed in her presence. As I delved deep into Mercedes’ life I discovered that her fans often referred to her as a “mystical presence.” This aroused my curiosity to gain a better understanding of her personal life—her relationships with her family, fans, and friends as well as the events that shaped her life on a personal and professional level. I embarked on a quest to find the secret behind her enormous impact and this so-called “mystical presence.”
What I discovered affected me on various levels. Watching how Mercedes dealt with social and political problems increased my social awareness. Witnessing how she related to others, whether it was peasants or presidents, friends or foes, touched me deeply and aroused a desire in me to become more respectful and compassionate and to pay full attention to others.
I am a sensitive and intuitive person who always looks for the best in others. Sometimes when I meet a person for the first time, my inner detector tells me that I have struck gold. It is a sensitivity that makes me feel a person’s essence and see their innate beauty immediately. It is exactly what happened when Mercedes Sosa came up on my radar. I felt I had found a treasure, and the more I got to know about her, the more convinced I became, that I had encountered a legend.
Naturally, I was interested in talking to others about her, so I kept asking everyone on my way if they had heard of her, but I never had a positive answer. Realizing that she was still an unsung hero in the English speaking world, as well as my longing to get to know her, learn from her and connect with her gave me inspiration to write this book. I remember sitting on the stairs outside our house looking up at the stars when the thought crossed my mind for the first time only one month after her death.
Writing this book has been like putting a jigsaw puzzle with one thousand pieces together, starting with having only one single piece and no idea what the full picture would look like. I was so attracted to the single piece I had found, that I had to search for the nine hundred and ninety other pieces. I am a go-getter and extremely persistent, and the challenge of not having access to the Spanish sources only increased my motivation. The first four years were a lonely journey as I didn’t have anyone I could share my passion with, but it changed in 2013, a year after my husband and I had moved from Denmark to Turkey.
I was on my way back from the beach when I passed by a small shop which I passed by every day. This particular day I spotted a beautiful turquoise batik dress that was hanging outside. Turquoise being my favorite color at the time, I decided to stop and try it on. Up to that time we had met only two English-speaking Turkish people, so when the lady in the shop approached me and I realized she spoke English quite well, I was surprised and overjoyed.
I was a little stunned too because she looked almost exactly like Mercedes Sosa at a young age. She was a small exotic-looking woman with long black hair and intense dark eyes. Furthermore, I immediately recognized that her essence was similar to Mercedes Sosa’s. Naturally I couldn’t help but ask her the same question I had asked everybody on my way the past four years, though I never got an affirmative answer. I asked, “Do you know Mercedes Sosa?”
Her answer made my heart jump. “Of course I know her. I love her!”
When I told her I was writing a book about Mercedes Sosa, she got excited and said she wanted to read it and even sell it in her shop. She also told me she had been working in the book industry in Turkey most of her life and was keen on translating the book into Turkish. I wasn’t finished when we met, but meeting her encouraged me to do so and get it published. It became the beginning of a very special friendship, and I believe it was life’s way to encourage me to move on with the project.
While writing this book, I reached out to Sosa’s family in Argentina in hopes of receiving some insights into her life as well as to receive their blessing on this project of documenting her life, upbringing, career in music, and the social and political environment she lived in. I am very happy that they approved of the book at a very early stage and found my psychological approach enticing.
I also engaged with some of Mercedes Sosa’s personal friends and fans and have included their stories as well. Through my connection with the Latin American people on Facebook, where I now have over 16,000 followers, I began to understand Mercedes Sosa’s deep affection towards her people. The Latin American people have become very special to me too and their love, support and encouragement has touched my heart.
I do not consider this book to be a complete biography of Mercedes Sosa—rather it is a personal profile of her. I have used my imagination in a few places to fill in some of the gaps without reducing the credibility of the overall story. These passages are listed in the addendum. Here I also explain how I used a mindful approach to get to know Mercedes well enough to write this book without having access to the Spanish sources.
Anette Christensen
The Argentine folk singer and social activist, Mercedes Sosa, was a world-class performer, whose influence went far beyond the borders of music. Blacklisted as being one the most dangerous people to the regime in Argentina in the 1970s, she became the underground reference point for the poor and oppressed, and an icon of democracy who fought South America’s dictators with her voice. Nicknamed, “The Voice of the Voiceless,” Sosa emerged as a legend and a much-loved mother of Latin America. With her powerful voice and compelling stage presence, the Argentine folk singer, Mercedes Sosa, was a world-class performer, whose influence went far beyond the borders of music. Blacklisted as being one the most dangerous people to the regime in Argentina in the 1970s, she became the underground reference point for the poor and oppressed, and an icon of democracy who fought South America’s dictators with her voice. Alongside her lifelong career, which earned her four Grammy Awards, Sosa also worked as Goodwill Ambassador for the children in Latin America and in the Caribbean, and was granted the prestigious position of Vice President of the Earth Council. Nicknamed, “The Voice of the Voiceless,” Sosa emerged as a legend and a much-loved mother of Latin America. Although Mercedes Sosa was one of the most recognized artists in international music, and collaborated with musicians ranging from Luciano Pavarotti, Sting and Joan Baez, she remained an unsung hero outside of Latin America. However, now ten years after her death, Sosa’s legacy continues to shine. Her example of integrity and solidarity lives on and make her a role model who points out the path to a more emphatic and compassionate world. But how did a girl raised in a poor Indian working class family gain such influence? Mercedes Sosa – More than a Song explores the secret behind Sosa’s remarkable impact and reveals how her upbringing, political circumstances and personal tragedies formed her life and her career. Now, ten years after her death, Sosa’s legacy continues to shine. Her example of integrity and solidarity lives on and make her a role model who points out the path to a more emphatic and compassionate world. Her story calls out for the best in all of us. You are about to meet a woman who will inspire you by her courage and authenticity.
Anette Christensen
Mercedes Sosa - More than a Song
Endorsements
“In this work, you will find a new and touching perspective on our beloved Mercedes. It is a heartfelt and affectionate tribute honoring the life of my mother. Thank you, Anette, for all your efforts in the name of the Mercedes Sosa Foundation.”
-Fabián Matus, son of Mercedes Sosa and president of The Mercedes Sosa Foundation.
Tribute
“If Mercedes had embraced you, you’d never forget it. She had the ability to embrace people like no one else in the world; one always had the feeling of being embraced by Mother Earth herself. She took all of us in her arms with her voice, with this unequaled bel canto voice, which was always a pure expression of her soul. There was never anything artificial about this wonderful woman, this brave woman, this icon of courageous resistance to military dictatorship. For me, she radiated the most important thing that makes a great human being: kindness."
-Konstantin Wecker, singer and poet, Germany
Mercedes Sosa
More than a song
Anette Christensen
Mercedes Sosa
More than a Song
A tribute to "La Negra,"
the voice of Latin America
(1935-2009)
No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author. Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.
Publisher: Tribute2Life Publishing
Editors: NY Book Editors & David Larkin
Cover Design: © Tribute2Life Design
Cover Photo: © Ernesto Guerrero Pititore
Back Page Cover Photo: © Reuters
Interior Design: © Tribute2Life Design
Interior Drawings © Anette Christensen
Chapter Opening Illustrations: © by Monica Gaifem
Author Photograph: © Pernille Schmidt
Set with: Lora Font & Antonio Font
First Editions
Mercedes Sosa-More than a Song by Anette Christensen
© 2019 by Anette Christensen. All rights reserved.
Dedication
In honor of Fabián Matus, Mercedes Sosa’s son, who passed away on March 15, 2019, less than ten years after his mother. You worked wholeheartedly for your mother when she was alive and maybe even harder to establish her legacy after her death.
To the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, who in a high age, are still active in their search of the children stolen from their parents and given to the Generals during The Dirty War. You are an example to all of us, that age is no hindrance to making a change in this world.
To people Mercedes Sosa loved and served her entire life. Those who suffer under the burden of poverty, persecution, censorship, torture and social injustice in any form, the indigenous, the disenfranchised, the oppressed, the homeless, the orphans, the depressed, the lonely, and everyone who has never been seen and loved for who they are.
Introduction
ON OCTOBER 4, 2009, when her death was announced on the news, I caught my first glimpse of Mercedes Sosa. There was a very short sequence of her singing “Gracias a la vida” at an acoustic concert in Switzerland in 1980. The first thing that struck me was her authenticity. I could sense that she was a person of tremendous integrity. What she expressed seemed to be in complete accordance with who she was. The intensity and firmness in her voice, the intoning of every note and every word reached me like glassy water reflecting my soul. Her tenderness, profound passion, immense presence, and charisma moved me deeply. I started to watch and listen to Mercedes Sosa on the internet and soon I found myself completely immersed in her life,- a universe of music and love. Tears would run down my cheeks as I watched her and listened to her songs and intuitively, I began to use her eyes like a mirror that reflected back to me what I had missed out on as a child. In her eyes I saw the glance of a mother, a glance that said, “I see who you are, and in my eyes you are wonderful.”
Since my discovery of Mercedes Sosa had such a deep and haunting impact on me, I began searching for any bit of information I could find about her. I soon learned that I wasn’t alone with the experience of being invigorated and transformed in her presence. As I delved deep into Mercedes’ life I discovered that her fans often referred to her as a “mystical presence.” This aroused my curiosity to gain a better understanding of her personal life—her relationships with her family, fans, and friends as well as the events that shaped her life on a personal and professional level. I embarked on a quest to find the secret behind her enormous impact and this so-called “mystical presence.”
What I discovered affected me on various levels. Watching how Mercedes dealt with social and political problems increased my social awareness. Witnessing how she related to others, whether it was peasants or presidents, friends or foes, touched me deeply and aroused a desire in me to become more respectful and compassionate and to pay full attention to others.
I am a sensitive and intuitive person who always looks for the best in others. Sometimes when I meet a person for the first time, my inner detector tells me that I have struck gold. It is a sensitivity that makes me feel a person’s essence and see their innate beauty immediately. It is exactly what happened when Mercedes Sosa came up on my radar. I felt I had found a treasure, and the more I got to know about her, the more convinced I became, that I had encountered a legend.
Naturally, I was interested in talking to others about her, so I kept asking everyone on my way if they had heard of her, but I never had a positive answer. Realizing that she was still an unsung hero in the English speaking world, as well as my longing to get to know her, learn from her and connect with her gave me inspiration to write this book. I remember sitting on the stairs outside our house looking up at the stars when the thought crossed my mind for the first time only one month after her death.
Writing this book has been like putting a jigsaw puzzle with one thousand pieces together, starting with having only one single piece and no idea what the full picture would look like. I was so attracted to the single piece I had found, that I had to search for the nine hundred and ninety other pieces. I am a go-getter and extremely persistent, and the challenge of not having access to the Spanish sources only increased my motivation. The first four years were a lonely journey as I didn’t have anyone I could share my passion with, but it changed in 2013, a year after my husband and I had moved from Denmark to Turkey.
I was on my way back from the beach when I passed by a small shop which I passed by every day. This particular day I spotted a beautiful turquoise batik dress that was hanging outside. Turquoise being my favorite color at the time, I decided to stop and try it on. Up to that time we had met only two English-speaking Turkish people, so when the lady in the shop approached me and I realized she spoke English quite well, I was surprised and overjoyed.
I was a little stunned too because she looked almost exactly like Mercedes Sosa at a young age. She was a small exotic-looking woman with long black hair and intense dark eyes. Furthermore, I immediately recognized that her essence was similar to Mercedes Sosa’s. Naturally I couldn’t help but ask her the same question I had asked everybody on my way the past four years, though I never got an affirmative answer. I asked, “Do you know Mercedes Sosa?”
Her answer made my heart jump. “Of course I know her. I love her!”
When I told her I was writing a book about Mercedes Sosa, she got excited and said she wanted to read it and even sell it in her shop. She also told me she had been working in the book industry in Turkey most of her life and was keen on translating the book into Turkish. I wasn’t finished when we met, but meeting her encouraged me to do so and get it published. It became the beginning of a very special friendship, and I believe it was life’s way to encourage me to move on with the project.
While writing this book, I reached out to Sosa’s family in Argentina in hopes of receiving some insights into her life as well as to receive their blessing on this project of documenting her life, upbringing, career in music, and the social and political environment she lived in. I am very happy that they approved of the book at a very early stage and found my psychological approach enticing.
I also engaged with some of Mercedes Sosa’s personal friends and fans and have included their stories as well. Through my connection with the Latin American people on Facebook, where I now have over 16,000 followers, I began to understand Mercedes Sosa’s deep affection towards her people. The Latin American people have become very special to me too and their love, support and encouragement has touched my heart.
I do not consider this book to be a complete biography of Mercedes Sosa—rather it is a personal profile of her. I have used my imagination in a few places to fill in some of the gaps without reducing the credibility of the overall story. These passages are listed in the addendum. Here I also explain how I used a mindful approach to get to know Mercedes well enough to write this book without having access to the Spanish sources.