The program begins with a compelling session featuring historian and journalist Mario Amorós, who introduces his newly published biography Victor Jara, life is endless, and reprint Salvador Allende, Political biography, human profile (Edition B, 2023). The discussion is hosted at Alicante City University Headquarters, with CeMaB guiding influencers and a welcoming introduction by university faculty members. The event focuses on the intersection of history and biography, shedding light on the life stories that shaped political and cultural movements in Chile and beyond. The setting invites attendees to explore the personal journeys that define public figures, while offering a nuanced view of the era through Amorós’s research and storytelling craft.
On the following day, two engaging activities enrich the program. A poetry workshop titled Abecedarium: A collective creative writing game to overcome the fear of writing is led by poet Alejandra del Río, providing practical exercises and collaborative prompts that encourage participants to experiment with language and voice. The session is coordinated by a professor from the university, José Rovira Collado, who helps guide the group through playful and reflective writing techniques. In the afternoon, Chilean poet and essayist Elvira Hernandez presents a lecture titled What does poetry face in difficult times? The talk, hosted by a Spanish American literature expert, Carmen Alemany, offers insights into resilience, memory, and the power of verse in social challenges. Both activities take place on campus, at CeMaB’s facilities within the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, III, underscoring the institution’s commitment to linking literature with contemporary discourse. The collaboration with the Chilean Embassy in Spain highlights international cultural exchange and the ongoing relevance of Latin American literary voices on the global stage.
To conclude the program, the final day marks a reflective engagement around Chilean literature fifty years after a pivotal historical moment. The event opens with a reading session, Neruda’s poetry revisited by two voices, featuring professors José Carlos Rovira and José Rovira Collado, who explore how the poet’s language resonates across generations. The afternoon continues with a round-table discussion that approaches the literature surrounding the coup in Chile from multiple angles, including didactic perspectives on teaching this period to younger audiences. The panel features professors Ignacio Ballester, Sebastian Heritage, and Francisco Antonio Martinez, who contribute insights on children’s poetry in the wake of the coup, graphic biographies as democratic memory, and personal testimonies from authors such as María José Ferrada. The gathering invites attendees to reflect on how literary narratives preserve memory, encourage critical thinking, and foster a deeper understanding of political upheavals and their human impact.