1. Martha Grogan (dancer), Peter Smith (guitar), Simon Steyn (flute)
Dance devised for the opening ceremony by American dancer Martha Grogan. Music is “Gracias a la Vida” (“Thanks to Life”), the song by Violetta Para. There was no stage lighting, so the sequence is rather dark.
2. Invocation on conga drums by Caboo of Trinidad.
Speakers and performers are introduced by members of Artists for Democracy.
3. Mavis Penn introduces David Medalla, chairman of Artists for Democracy.
Mavis Penn welcomes the audience and talks about the lasting impact of the festival.
4. David Medalla
David Medalla describes the foundation of Artists for Democracy and the concept of the Arts Festival for Democracy in Chile.
5. Colin Grigg introduces Cecilia Vicuna, festival co-ordinator.
Colin Grigg talks about studying in British art schools and becoming concerned about the gap between art and life, which he believes the festival is trying to overcome.
6. Cecilia Vicuna
Cecilia Vicuna reads a message from Chilean artists and intellectuals describing their situation in Chile and calling for support from their counterparts throughout the world.
7. Guy Brett, festival secretary, introduces Professor Alvaro Bunster
8. Professor Alvaro Bunster
Professor Bunster had been the ambassador to the UK of the Popular Unity Government and speaks on behalf of the London Committee for Human Rights in Chile.
9. Cecilia Vicuna introduces Ariel Dorfman, Chilean writer and human rights activist
10. Ariel Dorfman
Ariel Dorfman explains that he has just arrived in London from the Venice Biennale, of which ten days had been dedicated to Chilean art abroad. He speaks as a representative of the Cultural Commission of the Chilean Resistance.
11. Steve Sprung introduces Brian Nicholson
12. Brian Nicholson
Brian Nicholson, London dock worker, trade unionist and chair of the Chile Solidarity Campaign, describes the work of the campaign and British workers’ acts of solidarity with the Chilean people.
13. Jonathan Miles introduces poet Accabre Huntley, aged 7
14. Accabre Huntley
Accabre Huntley, daughter of activist Jessica Huntley, founder of black publishing house Bogle L’Ouverture press, reads poems by herself and other poets.
15. Roberta Hunter Henderson talks about Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and introduces Constance Cummings, actress
16. Constance Cummings
Constance Cummings, the distinguished actress, reads the poems “The Dead in the Square” by Pablo Neruda and “I Remember You, Amanda” by Chilean poet Victor Jara.
17. The activation of a kinetic art work brings the ceremony to a close.
It has not been possible to identify the artist who made the work.
Part of the ceremony was not recorded because I was required to go on stage with fellow AFD members John Dugger and Cat Waley to announce the events in the festival and read messages of support for the Chilean people.
