Cristal Andino was founded in Lund (Sweden), in the spring of 1986, as a response to events that occurred in many Latin American countries. Cristal Andino’s members have roots in different countries, which gave the music a unique sound. It can be described as a mixture of Latin American and African music with clear elements of e.g. pop, rock, jazz, reggae and bossa nova. The band sings in Spanish, Swedish and English. Cristal Andino has been, for more than 30 years, on several scenes and has performed for a wide and varied audience in countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Chile, Uruguay, Germany, Cuba and Spain.
Cristal Andino is, in many aspects, a unique music group and is known for its ability to captivate its audience, whether in schools, hospitals, industries, large concert halls or in streets and squares. The concerts not only provide a musical experience; Cristal Andino, with its great social commitment, also poses important problems to its spectators.
In 1998, the band was awarded the Lund’s Municipality’s cultural prize.
The band has played, for instance, at:
- Festival Latino in Malmö, 2019 & 2017
- Poeten på Hörnet in Malmö, 2019
- Mejeriet in Lund, 2017 & 2015
- Malmö Festival several times (seven times)
- Festival for “Solidarity between the Peoples” in Badalona, Spain, 2001
- Festival of “Justice and Impunity” in Badalona, Spain, 2000
- “Jubilee 2000” in Cologne, Germany, 2000
- Several concerts in Havana, Cuba, 1999
- Semana de la Cerveza in Paysandú, Uruguay, 1998
- Theater Cariola de Santiago and el Altillo del Cantor in Valparaíso, Chile, 1998
- Several universities and places to celebrate the memory of Victor Jara, Chile, 1991
More about Cristal Andino’s story:
Cristal Andino was founded in Lund, in 1986. The aim was to tell the world about the atrocities that happened in Chile after September 11, 1973. Those who formed the group were youngers, children to Chileans exiles who had to leave the country because of the military coup that overthrew the President Salvador Allende, democratically elected.The band’s young members were in a new country, with a new language, supported by crushed dreams, strongly influenced by the violent Latin American tragedy they recently had experienced. The music became their most important tool and through it, they could communicate with the new country. Cristal Andino’s endeavor was to contribute a “tiny little” to a growing wave of international solidarity, with victims around the world, who are oppressed by the prevailing economic system and neo-liberalism growing throughout the planet.
The band’s musical repertoire consisted, at this time, of large Latin American artists, as Violeta Parra, Víctor Jara, Atahualpa Yupanqui, Mercedes Sosa and Silvio Rodríguez, among others. Cristal Andino changed over the years, and that meant not only the development of the individuals in the band, but also of the music style. At this time music and text starts being composed by Galo Espinoza. The group follows the developments in the world, and in combination with many years of experience of active work against injustice, this is something that strongly influences Galo Espinoza’s texts and Cristal Andino’s message further.
In 1987, the band started a new activity together with the student priests’ choir led by Andres Gustavsson. Together they worked with the Farmer’s Fair from El Salvador and Nicaragua and performed several concerts in Skåne (south of Sweden) and Denmark. This leads to contact with other choirs, such as from Gothenburg, Örebro and Skåne. Ultimately, the Cathedral in Lund, churches in Denmark and Skåne could experience music from Nicaragua and El Salvador. It is during this period that the first self-composed song is created.
In 1988, Cristal Andino was an obvious participant in events organized by various cultural, political and solidarity organizations. They drew a large audience and performed several times in cities such as Malmö, Lund, Gothenburg, Sundsvall, Arboga, Stockholm, Örebro, Västerås and Copenhagen.
In 1990, the band participated in events organized by the “Landsorganizaotionen” in Sweden, at their national congress in Stockholm. The same year, several own songs were created, written and toned by Galo Espinoza Peña, and the idea of recording an own album takes shape.
In 1991, Cristal Andino are informed that a great tribute to the life and work of Victor Jara will be held in Chile. Jara was murdered by the brutal dictatorship led by Pinochet. The place where the tribute was to be held was at “Estadio Chile”, which today is called “Estadio Victor Jara”. This place was used as a prison during the first months of the military coup in 1973 and it was where many political opponents were killed, including Victor Jara. The band financed their trip to Chile and participated in the first tribute to the singer and theater director, Victor Jara. The name of the event was “The moment will sprout” where thousands of artists and cultural people participated. Cristal Andino received a lot of media attention and held concerts in various places. One of those who invited Cristal Andino to play during that year was René Largo Farías, who was soon murdered under strange circumstances when Chile once again became a “democracy”.
Once again in Sweden, the band decided to record their first album (cassette) with nine own songs. The name of the album was “Audacia y entrega” (Audacity and delivery). After touring internationally with their own songs, the band became more known, and participated for wider audiences in larger scenes. In Östersund, the band participated in the “Landsorganisationen” in Sweden in an international conference.
About the songs on the album “Audacia y entrega” (Audacity and delivery):
- Quiero (I want): About the dream that follows our existence, the desire for our earth to be a place where peace and harmony prevails.
- El niño y el mundo (The child and the world): The relationship between man and nature, its constant development and movement
- Vamos hermano (Come my brother): Dedicated to Manuel Guerrero, José Manuel Parada and Santiago Natino, who were brutally murdered during the dictatorship of the Pinochet.
- Canto, Camino, Víctor (Song, Road, Victor): Given as a tribute to the memory and life of the significant singer and theater director, Victor Jara.
- Paz, quiero paz (Peace, I want peace): The quest for real peace and against the proliferation of nuclear weapons
- La Barca (Fleet): Questions and suggestions on how we can save humanity
- Audacia y Entrega (Audacity and delivery): To college student Arnoldo Briceños, who was murdered in León (Nicaragua), 1979, during Somoza’s dictatorship.
- Regálame la flor en vida (Give me the flower in life): In memory of Tatiana Fariña, murdered by Pinochet’s dictatorship in 1985.
- No a la impunidad (No to impunity): A cry to never let any crime committed under any Latin American dictatorship remain unpunished, forgiven or forgotten!
During 1991-1995 the band performed in many socio-cultural and musical events. They attended the Malmö Festival and the Kulturnatten (Culture Night) in Lund, which are major musical events in southern Sweden. They were also involved in the creation of other major events, for instance “Mångkulturella Lund”.
With a more established name, the band attracts new members, and contributes to a even more multifaceted musical constellation.
In 1996, the band began recording their second album, “Claridad” (Clarity), with 11 own songs, text and music by Galo Espinoza Peña. In the album, some songs from “Audacia y entrega” (Audacity and delivery) came back as these were very current for that time. The year was spent mainly on the creation of the album, which meant fewer concerts.
The album was released in 1997, together with a concert at Kulturhuset Mejeriet in Lund. It received very positive criticism from musical and cultural critics, e.g. by Alexander Agrell from Sydsvenskan (a big Swedish newspaper). This led to Cristal Andino’s further development, national and internationally.
About the songs on the album “Claridad” (Clarity):
- Paz, quiero paz (Peace, I want peace): From the previous album, because of the current and necessary message of the search for peace.
- Espartana de mi siglo (Spartan of my century): Dedicated to the Cuban people’s spartan acts and anti-imperialist struggle.
- La Barca (Flotten): From the album “Audacia y Entrega”, questions and suggestions on how we can save humanity
- Flor de la Higuera (Fig Tree Flower): An instrumental composition that celebrates Che Guevara’s life and struggle in Bolivia.
- Constructor de esperanza (The Creator of the Hope): In memory of Exequiel Espinoza’s life and struggle, the father of Galo Espinoza.
- Caminar de amor (The Way of Love): Explains how the Cuban people with their Martian beliefs have fought and defeated the imperialist tyranny.
- La humanidad deja huellas (Humanity leaves track): The idea of how everything is linked, how each story is part of other stories and times.
- Claridad (Clarity): Clarifies the absolute belief that understanding of what is happening around us needs to be analyzed at every moment and place, without deviating from the truth.
- Miel de amor (Honey of love): The relationship and the passion between two who love and aspire each other
- Gracias por tú amor (Thank you for your love): Enlighten the eternal gratitude to those who love us, all of us, with our weaknesses and strengths.
- Vamos hermano (Come my brother): From the album “Audacia y entrega”, dedicated to Manuel Guerrero, José Manuel Parada and Santiago Natino who were brutally murdered during the dictatorship of the Pinochet
Several prominent musicians participated in the recording of the album “Claridad”, which contributed to a qualitative progress regarding Cristal Andino’s sound. With the majority of those participating during the recording, concerts were held in Sweden, Chile and Uruguay. In Sweden, the band played among other things at the “Blue Place” in Gothenburg, where Sven Wolter read in Swedish the song Vamos Hermano. In Chile, various concerts were held in Santiago and Valparaíso. In Uruguay, the band appeared in Montevideo and Paysandú (Semana de la Cerveza, Beer Week). They were interviewed by the media and participated in a television program called “de igual a igual” (from equal to equal) in Uruguay’s capital.
In southern Sweden, the band visited most primary and secondary schools as well as universities through a socio-cultural program called “Deep roots and large wings”. In December 1998, the band received the Culture Prize of Lund Municipality.
At the end of July, in 1999, the band conducted a tour in Havana, Cuba. The tour was a collaboration between UNEAC, the Ministry of Culture, the music group Manguaré and Cristal Andino.
The band continues to tour nationally in Sweden. In March 2000, the band participated in an event called “For Democracy and Against Impunity” in Badalona, Spain. Several artists participated, among others, Mercedes Sosa, Ana Belén, León Geco and Inti-Illimani. The event was held at “El Pabellón Olímpico de Badalona” with an audience of 25.000 to 30.000 people.
In July of 2000, part of the band traveled from Malmö to Luleå to participate in the cultural train that ABF had organized at a national level. In Luleå, only three of the band members participated while others were on their way to Cologne, Germany, for the festival Jubilee 2000 (Erlassjahr 2000). This was organized by cultural workers and artists across Europe, with the aim of I-countries to abolish the foreign debt of the developing countries, while simultaneously, G8 meeting was taking place in the same city. Artists who participated were many, among others Bono from U2, Youssou N´Dour, Quincy Jones, etc. This is where Cristal Andino got its biggest audience so far, up to 75.000 people on the main scene. Two of the band’s songs were included in the album representing the event (Break the Chain, Weltmusik für Schuldenerlass)
In 2000, a single was recorded with the songs “Levántate” (Raise) and “No a la impunidad (No to impunity). This work was carried out together with the musician and producer Lars ”Lasse” Beijbom.
In 2001, Cristal Andino gave several concerts in Sweden, including at the Folkets Hus 100 years celebration in Lund. In September, the single “Levántate” (Raise) was released by guitarist Janne Schaffer.
About the songs on the single “Levántate” (Raise)
- No a la impunidad (No to impunity): From the album “Audacia y Entrega”, about a cry to never let any crime committed under any Latin American dictatorship remain unpunished, forgiven or forgotten!
- Levántate (Raise): A cry for not giving up, to continue making efforts to build a more just and human society.
In November 2001, the band travels again to Badalona (Spain), and participates in an event of solidarity between peoples held at “El Pabellón Olímpico” de Badalona.
In 2002, the band performs among other events at Malmö Festival and Klturnatten (Culture Night) in Lund. At the end of the year, the band decides to take a break, and during the period 2002-2013, around 3-5 band members participate only in some socio-cultural events, mainly in southern Sweden.
In December 2013, the band’s greatest encouraging and admirer of Cristal Andino dies, José “Pepe” Nazar Riquelme. He followed the band all years and incentivized the band to continue to create and be creative. He followed on tours and organized cultural meetings, as well as concerts, to be able to finance a large concert to launch the album Claridad, in Chile.
To honor his immense support and friendship, the band decided to make “the fourth” as “Pepe” expressed it. The fourth album, “Vivan!” (Long Alive!), was released on the May 20th, 2015, with a concert at Kulturmejeriet in Lund. With the release of this album, Cristal Andino returned to the scenes with its broad band constellation. The album was made in collaboration with Lars “Lasse” Beijbom, with text and music by Galo Espinoza Peña. The songs are a tribute to the people who have contributed for our planet to be a little more beautiful. In the new album there are songs of original character such as “Carnaval de esperanza / Hope’s carnival” which is written in 18 different languages. It is also the first time that songs are composed in other languages such as English and Swedish.
About the songs on the album “Vivan!” (Long Alive!):
- Carnaval de esperanza (The Carnival of Hope): A tribute to human diversity
- Where love wins: About the conversations of life
- Sigue vivo el comandante (He still alive, the commander): In memory of Hugo Chávez Fría, commander of human dignity
- Venezuela Solidaridad (Venezuela Solidarity): A call for solidarity with the Bolivian people of Venezuela, against the imperialist aggression.
- Viva el Pepe compañero (Viva “El Pepe” our companion): Dedicated to our great companion, guide and friend, José “Pepe” Nazar Riquelme.
- Madre Camino (Mother Road): Dedicated to Julieta Peña Nieto, mother of singer Galo Espinoza Peña
- Buscando el amor (The Search for Love): The tireless search for love that everyone strives for, that many times relies not in others but mostly inside us
- För en mänskligare värld (For a more humane world): Sang in Swedish, addresses current social issues, pointed up with economic crises and imperialist wars.
- Misunderstanding: Criticism of proponents of “end of history”. The stubborn events have already revealed how wrong Fukuyama and his successors had.
- Equipaje de amor (Love baggage): Tribute to Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, more commonly known as “El Che”. His gift, struggle and clear visionary approaches were born out of a deep and strong love for humanity.
- En kärlekssaga (A love story): written in Swedish, for the presence and the lack of passion and love
- Reflexiones (Reflections): Analysis, questions, reflections on how we want our world and our societies to be.
- Vivan! (Long Alive!): A tribute and admiration for those who give the best of themselves to build a life of happiness for all, without exclusion.
The album received great criticism and the concert was a success.
Shortly thereafter, the municipality of Lund chose Cristal Andino as one of the bands / performers who would perform when the Culture Night in Lund celebrated 30 years. Another artist who also participated was Måns Zelmerlöw, who earlier that year had won the Eurovision Song Contest.
In October 2016, the band released a single named Anda! (Go!) containing two songs. The single was a collaboration with Lars “Lasse” Beijbom, text and music by Galo Espinoza Peña, and was done as a tribute to the Nicaraguan people’s history and struggle. The single was launched with a concert at Kulturmejeriet in Lund and was also played at several radio stations in Nicaragua.
About the songs on the single “Anda” (Come):
- Anda (Come): A call to artists and musicians to never stop singing for the love of humanity.
- Que viva mi Nicaragua (Living Middle Nicaragua): A tribute to the Nicaraguan people’s history, struggle and life, personalized by Sandino’s and Fonseca’s struggles, projected and multiplied by the joyous, invincible youth.
May 21th of 2017, another album was released. It was the band’s sixth musical work as a release with a concert at Kulturmejeriet in Lund. The album “Sigo cantándole al amor” (I continue to sing to love) contains 14 songs with two songs in English, one in Swedish, the others in Spanish. The album was a collaboration with Cristal Andino and several artists from Latin America, Sweden and Australia.
About the songs on the album “Sigo cantándole al amor” (I continue to sing to love):
- Sigo cantándole al amor (I continue to sing to love): It’s about to never give up, to be persistent and continue to build hope.
- La mañana (Morning): A tribute to Oscar López’s struggle, life and work.
- Dos primaveras de mañana (Two spring mornings): About the image of a mother with her daughter cycling through Lund’s old little alleys.
- Por el camino del amor (On the way of love): Dedicated to Ondina Mazier, a young Nicaraguan fighter with firm conviction and integrity.
- Fidel vencedor eterno (Fidel, eternal winner): About Fidel, his endeavor for the people’s liberation and independence.
- Lyssna (Listen): A song in Swedish that calls on humanity and its empathy to feel the pain of others as their own.
- Berta Cáceres Flor: An environmental warrior from Honduras. She was killed by transnational imperialists, natural resources exploiters.
- Un ángel en mi viaje (An angel on my way): About the “revelation” of a young woman who passed the bands compositor path when he traveled from Lund to Copenhagen airport by train.
- Cupid que libera (Love to release): In memory of “Toto”, Carlos Verceci, and “Nenucha”, Lidia de los Reyes. Real spouses from Uruguay who, through their way of being, their love and generosity, show us Bolívar and Artigas in practice.
- Mother Earth’s telling us: Inspired by an article written by Lena Wallin, that lifts environment and its challenges.
- Serenata inconclusa (Unfinished serenade): A song about the search for the beloved.
- Fiesta de poetas (Poet’s party): A song about how it would be if all the poets around the world gathered at a common party.
- The dream of the dream: This song came after a conversation with Jaime Nazar and his life mate Rosamaría (friends to the composer) in Italy.
- Más amor para vivir (More love to live): Is about the power of love. Love is the answer to the power and understanding needed to turn mankind towards a more fair and dignified society for all people.
At present, the band is working on recording a seventh album that will be called “Ama” (Love).