Our Violeta

Violeta is for Chile, like Homero is for Greece. In our country, her figure represents a major milestone in terms of identity. Violeta, as no one,  was able to unravel, learn, discover, interpret and disseminate the “Chilean way”. In an intense work discovery of the Chilean national identity, in a short time of research, she could identify the most intimate forms of identity of our people.

Violeta Parra was born in San Carlos on October 4^th, 1917. She comes from a large family of known and prominent artists, including the anti-poet Nicanor Parra, who was the great promoter of the artistic career of his sister Violeta. Furthermore, there are other siblings like her sister Hilda and her brothers Roberto, Eduardo, Lautaro. All of them are known as Chilean folklorists, and we can’t forget her youngest brother Oscar, who developed the circus’s art as a clown.

Violeta’s figure is, in many cases, controversial. She was a brave woman who always said the truth with her head up. This confrontational manner earned her the displeasure of many and also the recognition of some others. Her artistic and musical compositions are a clear example to understand her life’s vision.

Her artistic career is recognizing all over the world and much people in Chile are proud of her character as a Chilean artist, but there is something that really bothers me… San Carlos, her hometown, can’t dimension the importance of this incredible woman. It seems like sometimes we forget this fact. The things that this town has made are to repair her birthplace, and old red house located in Roble Street #531 where they hope to build a museum that remains her work; and to organize a music festival every year for her birthday. Even so, San Carlos has failed in establish her symbol as a fundamental icon of our local identity.

Some sancarlinos get upset when other people say that Violeta was born in San Fabian (a small town near to San Carlos) or Chillán (the capital of the Biobío region) but what do they expect? They just remember her name when foreign people ask for her… There is nothing that shows people who came from other cities that San Carlos is, eventually, the Violeta’s hometown! We don’t do anything to express our proud of being part of the history of this great artist. There is nothing that distinguishes us from other cities…  My position is that as inhabitants of the city of San Carlos, it’s our duty to be worry about our uniqueness as the Violeta Parra’s hometown. She is one of the most important artists in Chile and she was born here! I think that if we strive of make this possible, we could be a very important, interesting and charming city, full of tourists, photographers, amateur artists and journalists who want to know even more about Violeta Parra, her story, her music, her life.

Why don’t we start painting the most important constructions in our city, like municipality building or the post office building for example, violet color? Maybe we can use the melody of her most famous song “Gracias a la vida” (Thanks to life) every time that the church bells start ringing when is midday. Moreover, we can restyle the streets using paving stones like the old times and put antique types of lampposts along the streets. There are a lot of talented painters, kids and teenagers around that could paint and represent, in huge walls, Violeta’s life or paint her looms and the pictures that she made when she was alive. We all can participate in this, together, as proud citizens. I don’t know… several things come to my mind when I start talking about this; I can thing in numerous possibilities to raise our identity as a town but… there is nothing wrong with dreaming. 

My favorite place in the world

The first thing that it comes to my mind when someone ask me about my favorite place in the world, it is a small town located near to San Carlos ( the city where I live). I’m talking about San Fabian. This place is situated between two green hills called Alico and Malalcura in the Biobío region. The surrounding area is full of trees, rivers and magic.

I have many reasons that prove why I love this place. One of them is that you can go there with everyone! You can have a really beautiful experience with your family and/or with your friends. Besides, it is a good place to visit during the entire year, that means that you can go there in summer, fall, winter or spring and it will be beautiful in all seasons. I really like San Fabian because it is so welcoming that it would be impossible to not feel relaxed and happy while you are staying there. You can find accommodation in hostels placed in the town itself, cabins in the country side or just camping in the middle of the woods. Some of these places are cheaper than other but all of them are cozy and affordable for everyone. 

You can do a lot of different things in San Fabian, especially outdoor activities. For example, the most famous one is hike through the native forest, admire the landscape and take picture of the flora and fauna. Another thing that you can do there is ride a horse and enjoy the fresh air. If you are staying in a campsite with a tent or in a cabin, you can build a bonfire, melt marshmallows, play the guitar and sing some old songs while you stare the magnificent night sky full of sparkling stars. 

If you decide going to San Fabian during summer, a good activity to do is go to the river and swim all day long, but you have to be extremely careful with this. The river’s current sometimes can be dangerous so please, look after your children all the time! By the other hand, if you decide going to San Fabian during winter, you can do snowboard if you are brave enough! If you are the type of person who likes extreme sports, you can go to the Ñuble river and do the best rafting that you've ever done. Also you can do trekking and visit the "Laguna de la plata". This is a famous lagoon in San Fabian located in the nature reserve "Laguna de la Plata".

I can't forget the food. Chilean people are very good at doing barbecues. For us, everywhere it’s a good place to do a Chilean barbecue and San Fabian it’s not the exception! In there you can find plenty of places to go and do barbecues for yourself or you can go to a restaurant and eat typical Chilean food such as empanadas, pastel de choclo, humitas, porotos granados, carbonada and other several classic dishes. 

Every time I think about San Fabian I feel very happy. Maybe is because I had a really good time every time I went there with my friends or my family. It's a beautiful place to go and feel that everything is okay and realize that nature it is the most perfect thing ever created.