Current Issues: Raúl Zurita

One of my favorite types of literature is Poetry. I used to read a lot, but since I'm in University I don't read very often. Chile is recognised globally by it's poetess, and most of my favorite are from here, like Nicanor Parra and Gabriela Mistral.

Now, I want to write about Raúl Zurita, a Chilean poet winner of Literature National Award. He published a long poem about Camilo Catrillanca, a Mapuche killed by Carabineros. The poem were published on Facebook and had a lot of controversy and dissemination, specially on social media.

The issue of the poem were the murderer of a Mapuche, the react of the authorities and the serious situation of the police force of the country. I think it's important that the artists and the literature take part of what happens in a society, because they are the voice of who has not. The art has an a very important position.

The poem was an artistic form to confront the President. And I am sure that it will inspire so many to demand explanations to the government for this crime. For example, the face of Camilo Catrillanca were project in Baquedano inspired by his verse "QUE SU ROSTRO DE 24 AÑOS CUBRA EL HORIZONTE".