Auditorio de Tenerife to Host 'Deserto,' a Multidisciplinary Tribute to Roberto Bolaño

Roberto Bolaño, a towering figure in contemporary Hispanic-American literature, returns to the stage this weekend at the Auditorio de Tenerife. As part of the "La Salita" series, the Santa Cruz venue will host Deserto, a multidisciplinary production by the Brazilian company Polifônica that explores the legacy of the author of 2666.

The play will be performed this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Rather than a standard biography, director Luiz Felipe Reis has created a performance piece that blends drama and essay. It uses fragments of Bolaño’s work—ranging from his poetry to his personal interviews—as its foundation. Actor Rodrigo Bolzan portrays the writer’s nomadic life, reflecting on his experiences with exile and his critical view of systemic power, which continue to challenge how we see the role of art in violent times.

This project is part of Polifônica’s ongoing research into how art can respond to today’s political and ecological crises. The performance is in Brazilian Portuguese with Spanish surtitles, and there will be a post-show discussion with the cast after the opening night to explore the relevance of Bolaño’s ideas.

Tickets are available for eight euros, with a reduced rate of five euros for those under 30. They can be purchased via the Auditorio de Tenerife website, at the box office, or by phone during regular hours. Following this production, the "La Salita" series will continue in November with Cariño malo by the company Ministerio de la Belleza.