The 2019 Pan American Games opened in Santiago, Chile with a tribute to the country’s Indigenous Peoples, poetry, and reflection on the country’s past dictatorship. The opening ceremony was held at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos and featured a wide array of performances, including a traditional Mapuche dance, a poem by Chilean Nobel Prize winner Gabriela Mistral, and a reflection on the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.
The ceremony began with a tribute to the Indigenous Peoples of Chile, with a performance of traditional Mapuche music and dance. The Mapuche people are the largest Indigenous group in Chile, and their presence was a reminder of the importance of recognizing and respecting Indigenous cultures. This was followed by a performance of Chilean folk music, which highlighted the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Next, Chilean Nobel Prize winner Gabriela Mistral’s poem “A la Patria” was read by Chilean actress Daniela Vega. The poem is an ode to Chile and its people, and is a reminder of the country’s resilience in the face of adversity. This was followed by a performance of “El Canto de la Tierra”, a song about Chile’s natural beauty and its people.
The ceremony then shifted to a more somber tone with a reflection on the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. A video was shown featuring images of the victims of his regime, as well as a speech by Chilean President Sebastián Piñera. He spoke about the importance of remembering the victims of the dictatorship and honoring their memory.
The ceremony concluded with a performance of “Vamos Todos Juntos”, a song about unity and hope for the future. This was followed by the traditional parade of athletes, with Chile leading the way. The ceremony was a powerful reminder of Chile’s history and culture, and a celebration of its resilience in the face of adversity.
The 2019 Pan American Games are sure to be an exciting event for all involved, and this opening ceremony was a fitting tribute to the country’s past and present. It was a reminder of the importance of recognizing and respecting Indigenous cultures, as well as reflecting on the past in order to create a better future.
