or many years, Violeta Parra (vee-ow-LEH-tuh PAA-ruh) walked the rugged country sides of Chile. From an early age, she loved the cultural riches of her homeland, especially music. Violeta became passionate about preserving and reviving Chilean music and culture in danger of disappearing. She journeyed, sometimes with her children and heavy recording devices, to interview elders of small, isolated villages. Along with traditional songs, she preserved native Chilean musical instruments. She saved unique stringed instruments, flutes, and percussion instruments, some made of wood, bone, clay, shells, and even pumpkins. Violeta Parra
