João Bosco, iconic Brazilian popular music singer and composer joins IICA in paying tribute to agrifood chain workers

San José, 28 May 2020 (IICA).  – Famed singer, songwriter and guitarist, João Bosco, has come on board the campaign of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), paying tribute to farmers and food chain workers, whose daily toil is ensuring the production, transportation, marketing and supply of food during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Having been awarded a Grammy in 2017 for excellence in music, Bosco inspired the transformation of Brazilian popular music – constantly creating and adapting contemporary sounds, while recounting the stories of people like those who continue to produce food amidst the pandemic.

UNESCO Brazil and the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (ABRAS) have both endorsed and become a part of the IICA tribute.

A musical icon

During the 70s and at the start of the 80s, when Brazil was under a military dictatorship, João Bosco and his lyricist, Aldir Blanc conveyed messages of solidarity and hope through their songs.

They joined a group of musicians and composers who were coming on the scene during these times, such as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Chico Buarque and others.

In supporting this IICA campaign, João Bosco is joining a cadre of renowned artists from different countries in the Americas, who are selflessly participating in the POPULAR MUSIC TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO WORK DAY TO DAY TO PUT FOOD ON OUR TABLES.

Amidst the current pandemic, IICA is seeking to heighten political and social awareness about those who keep the agroindustrial chain functioning, as well as the farmers who are guaranteeing our food supply at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic is challenging the world.

You can enjoy João Bosco’s contribution by clicking on the link below:

Gustavo Grobocopatel, Gustavo Santaolalla, Gilberto Gil, León Gieco, Carlinhos Brown, Mart'nália, Maria Luiza Jobim, Teresa Parodi, Soledad Villamil, Víctor Heredia, Hilda Lizarazu, Paulo Miklos, Damaris, Lidia Borda, Luis Enrique Mejía Godoy, La Charo (Tonolec), Willy Piancioli (Los Tipitos), Agustín Ronconi (Arbolito), Alejandro Davio (Mundo Alas), Anabella Zoch, Peteco Carabajal, Dolores Solá, Acho Estol (La Chicana), Guadalupe Urbina, Lila Downs, Nano Stern, Ana Prada and Pata Kramer are just some of the performers who have selflessly and generously contributed to the campaign launched by IICA.

Several organizations in different countries have taken part in the tribute organized by IICA. In Argentina, the tribute has received the backing of the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries; the Ministry of Culture of the Nation; the Ministry of Social Development; the anti-hunger program – Plan Argentina contra el Hambre; the Secretariat of Media and Public Communication; the public broadcast entity, Contenidos Públicos Sociedad del Estado and the arts foundation, Fondo Nacional de las Artes.

The concert by the Argentinian performers who have joined this campaign can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT1CxNALDus. The songs contributed by the rest of the artists are also available on IICA’s YouTube channel.

IICA will continue to publish the contributions of the artists participating in the campaign on all its digital platforms and on those of its partners in this initiative, using the following hashtags on social media:

#GRACIAS

#HEROESYHEROINAS

#PORLOSALIMENTOSENNUESTRAMESA

#OBRIGADO #OBRIGADA

#HERÓISEHEROÍNAS

#THANKS

#HEROESANDHEROINES

#FORFOODONOURTABLES 

More information:

Institutional Communication Division

comunicacion.institucional@iica.int