Posting for ISN on Security and International Relations

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Being part of Global Voices (globalvoicesonline.org) is an amazing experience. As I commented before, It is a fantastic network of bloggers, activists and translators spreading peoples voices around the world.

As a Global Voices author, I was invited to join the Special Series on International Relations & Security, a project resulting from the partnership between Global Voices and the International Relations and Security Network (ISN) in Switzerland, a world-wide renowned Think Tank.

A number of posts will be published on the ISN blog discussing international relations and security issues from the citizen media point of view. 

All posts will be published/translated in/to English, Spanish, French and Arabic. 

I will be mainly posting on Latin America and more precisely on the Andean Region. The first post is "Development at What Cost? New Conflict Over Bolivia’s TIPNIS Road". 

As always, comments are most welcome.

Andean Music

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Humanity has a particular way of expressing its emotions, normally through music. In every culture, since history has records and proofs, music is an important part of the development of cultures. In this article we will talk about history and the development of music in the Andes.

In South America, particularly in the Andes region, we have an important musical tradition. Wind instruments and drums are part of the original melodies from magnificent cultures like Quechuas and Aymaras. Sweet and melancholic tones represent native musical heritage and have become now in an essential part of folkloric music.

Recognised around the world, Andean folkloric music comes from mixing native instruments like the sampoña or quena (Andean flutes) with guitars and the famous charango (a small guitar originally made from an armadillo shell), all this combined with romantic lyrics.

In the last twenty years, it is becoming popular mixing folkloric and modern instruments resulting in interesting fusions rhythms.

I think Andean folklore represents an essential part of my people. It gives us a global and particular identity at the same time. It is part of our main celebrations, for example Oruro carnival festival, but also it is creating a cultural connection with our past, our traditions and modernity.

I include a taste of Bolivian folkloric music for you to enjoy.