Roque Dalton is considered one of El Salvador’s greatest writers of the 20th century.

His poems are pure art, mixing politics with poetry, blending verse and prose. Humor and reality. History and current events. Beautiful lines, alongside anger at the suffering plight of humanity. And above all that of the downtrodden and poor of El Salvador.

But Roque Dalton did not just write words. He lived them. He attended the world youth festival in Russia. He traveled, met and spoke out against injustices He was imprisoned. Escaped. He lived in Czechoslovakia. Exiled in Mexico. Exiled in Cuba. And trained to fight, there.

Roque Dalton was born on May 14, 1935.

He was killed and and his body disappeared on May 10, 1975, just four days before his 40th birthday. 
His family members have continued to demand justice and the truth about their father's death.

His words live on.

This is episode 30 of Stories of Resistance — a podcast co-produced by The Real News and Global Exchange. Independent investigative journalism, supported by Global Exchange's Human Rights in Action program. Each week, we’ll bring you stories of resistance like this. Inspiration for dark times.
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, share, comment, or leave a review. You can also follow Michael’s reporting and support at www.patreon.com/mfox.

Written and produced by Michael Fox.

Resources:
HABLA ROQUE DALTON SOBRE SU OBRA POÉTICA, UNA JOYA DE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Br5eflqfqE
Roque Dalton - dolores de cabezas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER8Mcj9HsDk
Alta hora de la noche (Roque Dalton) Recitado por Cortázar: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TNlMrQc4Dw
Other Roque Dalton poems, read by Julio Cortazar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKEEkOwPHB4

Under the Shadow Episodes:
EL SALVADOR’S CIVIL WAR | UNDER THE SHADOW, EPISODE 4: https://therealnews.com/el-salvadors-civil-war-under-the-shadow-episode-4
‘RADIO VENCEREMOS’ AND EL SALVADOR’S CIVIL WAR | UNDER THE SHADOW, EPISODE 5: https://therealnews.com/radio-venceremos-and-el-salvadors-civil-war-under-the-shadow-episode-5

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