Prohibido prohibir
Eladia Blázquez
The Anthem of Freedom: Unpacking 'Prohibido prohibir' by Eladia Blázquez
Eladia Blázquez's 'Prohibido prohibir,' which translates to 'Forbidden to forbid,' is a powerful anthem that champions the inherent freedoms of human existence. The song's lyrics are a poetic declaration against the suppression of fundamental rights and the human spirit. Blázquez, an Argentine singer-songwriter known for her contributions to the genre of tango, uses her music to convey deep emotional and social messages, and this song is no exception.
The repetitive structure of the lyrics, with the phrase 'No se puede prohibir' ('It cannot be forbidden'), emphasizes the impossibility and injustice of restraining the natural and essential aspects of life. Blázquez lists various elements that should remain unchained: the right to live, to dream, to believe, to create, and even the inevitability of natural phenomena like the moon's visibility or a flower's bloom. The song suggests that attempts to control these are not only futile but also against the very essence of life. The mention of 'la simple verdad, de vivir en amor y en total libertad' ('the simple truth, to live in love and in total freedom') encapsulates the song's core message: that love and freedom are basic truths of human existence.
The final stanza serves as a powerful conclusion, criticizing those who lack the capacity to understand and feel, and who have managed to forbid their own greatness. Blázquez's call for a law that makes it 'prohibited to forbid' is a poetic and paradoxical way to assert that freedom should be the only rule governing our lives. The song is a timeless reminder of the importance of freedom and the dangers of censorship and control.