Laleh breathes new life into “Chiquitita,” supporting UNICEF through an initiative from ABBA The Museum

Since 1979, ABBA, one of the world’s greatest pop groups, has been donating royalties from the song “Chiquitita” in support of the vitally important work carried out by UNICEF. In order to spread ABBA’s song to new audiences and breathe new life into the group’s work with UNICEF, ABBA The Museum is inviting new well known artists to record their interpretation of the song. First up is Laleh.

Björn Ulvaeus: "I think that “Chiquitita” can serve as a symbol for all the girls and young women around the world who are denied their rightful place in society. We can help educate them, enabling them to stand up to any cultural or religious patriarchy that holds them back. Laleh understands what I mean and I am proud and happy that she is supporting the cause with her great version of “Chiquitita.””

Laleh: “I really like the song and the lyrics, so it felt very natural for me to do it. And even if producing and making music is an exciting process, it becomes even more meaningful when the music is part of something that is of direct benefit to someone. Hopefully, the royalties will contribute to something, but equally important is that the song itself might give some hope and encouragement to someone in need.”

Agnetha Fältskog: “In her own personal way, the very talented Laleh has given us a completely new “Chiquitita,” in a voice that expresses so many nuances – happiness, sorrow and everything in between. A fantastically imaginative arrangement that just draws you in…”

Mattias Hansson, CEO, ABBA The Museum: “Our hope is that donating via music will become a natural part of everyday altruism all over the world. Music and songs are apt messengers of such a message. We therefore hope to see more well-known artists recording ”Chiquitita”, which is why we are equipping the Polar Studio at the museum so the song recordings can be made there.”

Every time someone buys “Chiquitita” as a record, every time the song is played on the radio, every time it is downloaded from the internet, every time someone enjoys the melody – and the thought-provoking lyrics – an important contribution is made directly to UNICEF. The gift of music/A musical gift.

Less than two years after opening its doors, ABBA The Museum, at Djurgårdsvägen 68 in Stockholm, is already one popular pop culture pilgrimage destination in the world. From this hub, the museum is now revitalizing the “Chiquitita” benefit project by challenging new famous artists to interpret the song, thereby spreading the song and its message further. First up is Laleh, one of the most popular Swedish artists of our times.

Laleh Pourkarim was born in Iran to democratic activist parents. The family lived in hiding before fleeing the country, first to Azerbaijan and then to Minsk, from which Laleh has strong memories of soviet destitution. When Laleh was nine years old, the Pourkarims decided to move to Sweden (according to the family, her mum chose Sweden because she was fan of ABBA), where Laleh spend several years in an overcrowded house among other political refugees. ABBA later became an important source of inspiration for Laleh in her music.

Laleh knows from experience that many children around the world live harsh realities and need all the help and support they can get from UNICEF and others.

When we saw that Laleh likes ABBA and has an ABBA song on her Spotify list of “Songs I wish I wrote”, more specifically “The Winner Takes It All”, then it was natural to approach her. Our dream became a reality when Laleh immediately answered yes to doing her own interpretation of “Chiquitita.” Her version of the song once again shows the unique talent that Laleh, and only Laleh, possesses”, said Mattias Hansson, CEO of ABBA The Museum, behind the new “Chiquitita” initiative for UNICEF.

Laleh is the first artist to re-explore and interpret “Chiquitita” in support of UNICEF. Laleh has chosen to produce her version herself, even creating her own album cover. Several artists will follow in ABBA and Laleh’s footsteps.

At ABBA The Museum, there is also a completely new side-exhibit that tells the fairy-tale story behind “Chiquitita”, a song that has already facilitated the vaccination of hundreds of thousands of children, enabling them to go to school and giving them access to clean water.

And now this melodic, thought-provoking pop song will continue to contribute to the important work that UNICEF does every day, all year round, for children in need worldwide.

ABBA, Universal Music Publishing and the Polar Music donates its proceeds from the song Chiquitita., So do Laleh, who will donate all royalties from her version of “Chiquitita” to UNICEF.

So do something good today. Play the song now! Read more at pressplaytogive.com or abbathemusuem.com. Every time you play the song you are helping children around the world.

For more information:

Catarina Falkenhav, ABBA The Museum

E: catarina@abbathemuseum.com
T: +46-733-60 31 17

For contact with Laleh: 

Scandinavian - Helene Wigren 

E: helene.wigren@prbeyond.se
T: + 46 707527605

US & RoW - Angelica Cob

E: ACob@prospectpk.com
T : +1 (310) 746-4941