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Violeta Parra

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Musician

The Resume

    (October 4, 1917-February 5, 1967)
    Born in San Fabián de Alico, Chile
    One of the founders of Nueva Canción, a Latin American music movement with populist undertones
    Recorded the songs 'Que Pena Siente el Alma', 'Verso por el Fin del Mundo', 'Casamiento de Negros', Verso por Padecimiento', 'Gracias a la Vida', and 'Volver a los Diecisiete'
    Albums included 'Chants et danses du chili' (1956), 'Recordandeo a Chile (Una Chilena en París)' (1965), 'Carpa de la Reina' (1966), 'Las últimas composiciones de Violeta Parra' (1967), 'Un río de sangre' (1975), 'Presente/Ausente' (1975), 'Décimas' (1976), 'Décimas y Centésimas' (1993), and 'El folklore y la pasión' (1994)
    Wrote 'Cantos Folklóricos Chilenos', 'Décimas autobiográficas', and 'Popular Poetry of the Andes'
    Committed suicide by shooting herself in the head
    Subject of the biopic 'Violetta Went to Heaven' (2011)

Why she might be annoying:

    She got involved in the Communist Party of Chile thanks to her husband's militant communism.
    The circumstances leading to her suicide remain a mystery.
    One theory is that 'Gracias a la Vida' is a foreshadowing of her suicide, though evidence supporting this are scant at best.

Why she might not be annoying:

    She and her siblings had to work to support the family upon her father's death when she was twelve. (1929)
    Her daughter Rosita Clara died when she was performing in France. (1956)
    She was also a prolific artist, making arpilleras (embroidery), oil paintings, and wire sculptures and exhibiting them in the Louvre. (April 1964)
    Her children have inherited her artistic talents.
    Nueva Canción has become a symbol for the Chilean poor in their fight for social justice.

Credit: Big Lenny


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 77.78% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 37 Votes: 51.35% Annoying