Sara Curruchich 

2025 Levitt National Convening

Friday, January 24 at 4:30 pm
Omni Hotel Ballroom

 

Sara Churruchich, the first Indigenous Guatemalan singer-songwriter to sing in Kaqchikel (her mother tongue), as well as Spanish, for an international audience, creates songs that inspire hope with a sense of soaring drama that transcends barriers of language and culture.

Starting her career in the town of San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala, Sara continues the Kaqchikel’s strong tradition of expressing themselves through art and fighting oppression. Armed with an acoustic guitar, a clear, melodic voice, and backed by marimba, bass, and percussion, Sara has taken her message from some of the country’s most rural communities to well-known theaters and major venues in South America, Central America, North America, and Europe.  

In addition to singing in her native Kaqchikel language, Sara blends genres such as rock, folk, and traditional Mayan Kaqchikel music. Her strong commitment to historical memory has earned her recognition, not only in the world of art and music, but also in various arenas for debate at a community level. Indigenous rights, environmental issues, and social equality guide her lyrics as she takes on the role of an ambassador for her people and for herself. 

A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Sara is an ambassador for the HeForShe movement with UN Women Guatemala, and in 2021, she made history by becoming the first recipient of the MIAW Transformer Award at the MTV Millennial Awards in Mexico City, cementing her place as an inspiring force for change and equality. Through her powerful lyrics and activism, she has brought attention to the injustices faced by indigenous women and spoken out against gender-based violence and discrimination. 

Sara has collaborated with renowned artists such as Rosalina Tuyuc, Carmen Cúmez, Lila Downs, Muerdo, Ana Tijoux, Mon Laferte, and Amparo Sánchez, and her recent performances include the 2023 Folk Music Awards, Folk Alliance International 2024, and official showcases at the 2024 SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. Sara was the recipient of the 2024 Rising Tide Award at Folk Alliance International.

In 2024, Sara performed at the Levitt VIBE Belmont Cragin Music Series in Chicago.