Coast of Poets

The Coast of Poets is a cultural space in the Valparaíso Region of Chile, named for four world-renowned Chilean poets (Pablo Neruda, Vicente Huidobro, Nicanor Parra and Violeta Parra).

The poets were the first to take up residence in this area, followed by various artists, thus creating a close link between the land and its creativity, projecting a symbolic imaginary that put Chile on the international cultural map. Places such as El Quisco, Isla Negra, Las Cruces, El Tabo and Cartagena have become a hub for cultural activity.

El Quisco itself has been a meeting place for people such as Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda, who composed his famous poem Oda al Caldillo de Congrío (English: “Ode to Conger Chowder”) in the local restaurant Chez Camilo; folk singer Violeta Parra; writer, poet and composer Clara Solovera; cartoonist René Ríos Boettiger, otherwise known as Pepo, the creator of famous character Condorito; artist José Perotti; and painter Camilo Mori, who designed the official emblem for the municipality of El Quisco.

In Isla Negra, two greats of the Chilean arts, Pablo Neruda and Violeta Parra, spent long periods of time. Chilean artist Violeta Parra gave classes in crafts and folklore in Isla Negra. She worked in ceramics, oil painting and hessian cloth.

Isla Negra was given this name by Pablo Neruda, upon him sighting the black rock in the sea near his house (Isla Negra means "Black Island" in English). When asked what the place would be called, he said "Isla Negra, for those rocks.”

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Wikipedia