Youth Comparsas in Valparaíso (Chile): Artivism, Performativity and Repertoire of Ecological Political Action

Abstract

Abstract Comparsas are known as group of people dressed in a similar way who participate in carnivals playing music, dancing and representing something. In Latin America the term was used for group of performers in urban carnivals in places such as Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Montevideo (Uruguay) in xix century, including Afro rhythms. These comparsas porteñas have been the main influence for youth comparsas formed in Valparaíso Region in Chile during this century who have identified with the demands of public education and ecological claims. This paper explores and analyses if these comparsas from Valparaíso can be viewed as a form of artivism considering their aesthetic, performative and ecological political demands as repertoire of action, analysing one of them (Conga Comparsa La Kalle) as a case study. Furthermore, this paper will seek to understand the intersections between youth artivism, music and performativity within a history of environmental movements and demands in Chile.