La Orotava Unveils Mistral Bust, Marks 80-Year Nobel Anniversary
La Orotava honored Chilean Nobel laureate Gabriela Mistral with the unveiling of a bust and discussed potential cultural twinning with her birthplace, Elqui Valley.
La Orotava honored Chilean writer Gabriela Mistral (1889-1957) on Wednesday, marking 80 years since she won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. The event, organized by the Liceo de Taoro, featured the unveiling of a bust. This sculpture, created by Francisco Hernández Díaz from Puerto de la Cruz, will now stand at the entrance staircase of the cultural society.
Attendees included the town's mayor, Francisco Linares; Carmen Leyes, president of the Liceo de Taoro; Rafael Montero del Pino, honorary consul of Chile in Santa Cruz de Tenerife; the sculptor Francisco Hernández Díaz; and several guest speakers.
Candelaria Pérez Galván, an expert on Mistral's work, suggested a cultural partnership between La Orotava Valley and Elqui Valley, Gabriela Mistral's birthplace. Following this idea, the possibility was discussed of the Liceo de Taoro sending a cultural delegation to Elqui Valley. The aim would be to propose a formal twinning between the two regions, recognizing them as vibrant cultural landscapes.
There was also talk of creating an annual poetry contest to continue this cultural exchange and encourage new poetic voices.
The day's events also included writer Fuensanta de la Cruz and a musical performance by Canarian artist Josele del Pino.