"This event was inspired by the visit to machynlleth of Paul Baker Hernandez to Machynlleth from Nicaragua. Paul was once a Trappist monk and during this period of his his life , he constructed a guitar from scraps of rubbish that he found in the monastery.
On leaving the monastery he travelled to South and Central America where he became involved in the fight for justice and social change.
Encountering the music of Victor Jara , the Chilean singer-songwriter tortured and killed after the military coup in 1973, Paul undertook to spread his ideas through words, music and social action.
Now resident in Managua , he is active in local and international campaigns against war, exploitation and the plunder of Nicaragua's natural wealth.
Paul is international co-ordinator of "Echoes Of Silence" [artists with dirt under their fingernails] and co-founder of the Fairtrade co-operative Cafe Sandino in Managua.
The festival was another wonderful success with enthusiastic involvement from local people. It began with circle dance facilitated by Claire Jenkins. The dances were mainly to South American tunes some choreographed by Claire herself.
Ben Gregory from the Wales Nicaragua solidarity Campaign presented a comprehensive and realistic overview of the current situation in Nicaragua and the prospects for change with the new Sandinista government.
He also spoke about the La Chureca project which is providing assistance for people living on a rubbish tip in Managua. The Wales Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign has committed itself to funding part of this project for the next 2 years and some of the proceeds of the festival will be sent to this project.
Later Paul Baker Hernandez spoke about the Zero Hunger project of the new Sandinista government and presented a cautiously optimistic view of the future in Nicaragua.
Various organisations ran stalls such as Tree Spirit and the local climate change group. Wonderful food was provided by "Fresh And Local." In the evening we were treated to a collage of music and poetry. Cor Y Gobaith [choir of Hope] from Aberystwyth sang some tremendously inspiring songs.
The Machynlleth Tuesday singers presented their harmonic rendition of the great folksong "Nicaragua Nicaraguita" by Carlos Mejia Godoy and chilean Sergio Lagos read poetry by Tomas Borge and by Pablo Neruda.
There was fantastic stomping accordion music from wandering troubador, Flakito . An amazing musician, Flakito participated in the summer El Sueno festival and has worked extensively with Peace Brigades International in Columbia.
Local Cambri-Andean band Cloud Cuckoo sang songs by Chilean Rolando Alarcon and by Cuban Silvio Rodriguez and the evening came to a close with Paul's heart stirring and magical songs.
His lampooning and hilarious Starbucks song got everyone singing along and he finished the evening with "I Thought I Heard Sweet Victor"; a spellbinding song of his own which he wrote in Victor's backgarden whilst staying with Joan Jara, his widow.
All in all a fantastic day, thanks to everyone who contributed and do stay tuned for further Welsh latino extravaganzas here in the Dyfi Valley."
Article by Tony Corden
