Literary Contest “Humboldt Archipelago in 110 Words”
In the Playa sector of “El Apolillado” where the Atacama and Coquimbo Regions meet, the Literary Contest “Humboldt Archipelago in 110 Words” began, organized by Sphenisco Chile together with the Coquimbo Region Environmental Defense. Event that brought together regional authorities, representatives of the jury and the community, who came together to support this cultural and environmental initiative, whose purpose is to promote knowledge of the Archipelago through the creation of stories.
Nancy Duman, representative of Sphenisco Chile, points out that “the objective of the contest is to get to know this wonderful ecosystem through literature, creativity, and reflection. Because only what we know, we can appreciate, and protect.” In addition, he took the opportunity to invite all people from both regions to participate in this creative process.
The contest has three application categories; boys and girls from seven to thirteen years old, young people from fourteen to seventeen years old and adults from eighteen years old, who live in the Atacama and Coquimbo Regions. The prizes range from a boat visit to the Humboldt Archipelago for the winners and with three companions, one hundred thousand pesos for second places, and a set of books for third places in each category.
All winners and honorable mentions will receive a book with the publication of the winning stories. The challenge is to write stories with a maximum of 110 words.
The Seremi of the Environment of the Coquimbo region, Leonardo Gros, referred to that “this contest is an excellent opportunity for two great elements of our society to come together and converge, which on the one hand is culture, literature, and on the other hand the conservation and future projection of the environment.” Gros remarked that “the contest will make it possible to make visible an ecosystem that is unique in its kind on a planetary level, and that is a source of pride for the inhabitants of Atacama and Coquimbo.”
Two representatives of the jury were also present at the ceremony, who were very happy to participate in this initiative.
Elena Jiménez, poet and professional from the Education Seremi of the Coquimbo Region, commented that she hopes that these stories “are very vivid, that they are very sensitive and aware of caring for the environment. “That these stories should precisely reflect the life that exists here.”
For his part, José Aguilera, professor and writer, expects the stories “to have an emotional charge, of creativity, and that they call us precisely in the direction that the contest seeks, which is to try to socialize, raise awareness about the care and protection of the archipelago ”.
It should be noted that the contest is sponsored by the Seremi de Educación of the Coquimbo Region, the Coquimbo Writers Association, SERPAT, Gabriela Mistral Regional Library, The Illustrious Municipality of Freirina, Illustrious Municipality of La Serena, Cultrucción de Caleta Los Hornos, El Mostrador, Red Aves, Elqui Verde and Alianza Humboldt Coquimbo-Atacama.