When trash met thrash: Paraguay's landfill musicians
The orchestra began life in a slum by a landfill site in Paraguay, now it performs in stadia. Favio Chavez’ idea to turn trash into instruments inspired rockstar David Ellefson.
The Recycled Orchestra run by Favio Chavez, began as a safe haven for kids living in the Cateura slum. It turned into a global phenomenon when it caught the attention of rock royalty and actual royalty around the world. Playing instruments made from the trash thrown away at the local landfill site, teenagers who once only knew the streets around their homes now travel across the planet performing with bands like Megadeth, Metallica and Stevie Wonder. But despite their success, they still play the same instruments made of garbage and remain in the shanty town, putting everything they make back into their community.
Archive in this programme is from the documentary Landfill Harmonic.
Presenter: Clayton Conn
Producer: Mariana Des Forges
Picture: Favio Chavez
Credit: Landfill Harmonic Movie
Last on
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Sat 8 Aug 2020 21:32GMT91Èȱ¬ World Service except Americas and the Caribbean
- Sun 9 Aug 2020 08:32GMT91Èȱ¬ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Sun 9 Aug 2020 09:32GMT91Èȱ¬ World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Mon 10 Aug 2020 00:32GMT91Èȱ¬ World Service Americas and the Caribbean