Sonido 33: Latin American stories from the other south: NEW RADIO PROGRAM LAUNCH

Join us at the museum to launch Pablo’s Leighton’s new radio program and research project.

Sonido 33: Latin American stories from the other south is a new radio program and research project. It refers to the 33rd parallel south, a geographical latitude that crosses the main urban regions of both the Southern Cone and Australia, uncovering many historical connections between the two continents.

The project investigated, recorded, and recreated personal stories of solidarity, asylum, and migration, set against the backdrop of the key political and social events that shaped them. Through ten one-hour episodes—plus extended versions—it illuminates the modern history of Latin America, focusing on the crucial period from the 1970s to the 1990s. This was a time when the continent changed radically, becoming a political laboratory for the world. It was also during these decades that Latin American migration to Australia peaked, in what was arguably the last refugee wave to be fully welcomed by a broad spectrum. A powerful solidarity movement helped Australians learn about Latin America, creating a widespread popular awareness of the continent for the first time in the nation's multicultural history.
Eight episodes in Spanish are dedicated to Chilean, Argentine, Salvadoran, Guatemalan and Venezuelan-Italian migrants and refugees. Two episodes in English feature in-depth interviews with Australian solidarity activists. They are ten mesmerising personal stories of political militancy, imprisonment, underground activism, musicianship, internationalism and heroism.

The presentation by the producer, Pablo Nadki Leighton, independent researcher and media educator (www.latitudes33.au), will highlight key moments from each of the ten episodes of the program, supported by the Community Broadcasting Foundation (www.cbf.org.au) and Radio Skid Row, 88.9FM, Marrickville, NSW (www.radioskidrow.org). The talk will also display a selection of four written transcripts of these oral histories, made possible by the Royal Australian Historical Society (www.rahs.org.au). Finally, the presentation will acknowledge the generosity of the participants and volunteers who helped to prepare, support, and complete the project.

The talk will be followed by light refreshments