The following testimony and song express a nostalgic leave-taking. Yolanda Santiesteban, a resident of the historic mining center of Llallagua, evoked the feelings of those mineworkers who experienced the closure of the state mines and the massive layoffs and forced “relocation” of the labor force in the wake of neoliberal restructuring in 1985.

The cueca is a popular dance in Bolivia, and Santiesteban’s verses, presented below, say farewell to many of the distinctive features of Llallagua. They take leave of the town’s religious festival, held in August for the Virgin of Asunta. They take leave of the two famous radio...