Over 30 Poets from Chile and Argentina Bring the Fourth Edition of the Guido Eytel Poetry Festival to Life in La Araucanía

Original article: Más de 30 poetas de Chile y Argentina dan vida a la cuarta versión del Festival de Poesía Guido Eytel en La Araucanía

From August 22 to 30, the fourth edition of the Guido Eytel Poetry Festival will take place, an initiative born from grassroots efforts and community collaboration that has established itself as a key platform for promoting literature and the arts in La Araucanía.

This year’s festival will feature over 30 poets and writers from Chile and Argentina, participating in a free program that includes open readings, workshops, discussions, performances, music, and other activities across the municipalities of Temuco, Padre Las Casas, Lautaro, and Nueva Imperial, enhancing cultural access beyond major urban centers.

The festival is spearheaded by the Guido Eytel Community Library, an organization founded in 2019 through the collaborative efforts of local residents, artists, social organizations, and professionals from various fields.

What started as a neighborhood project to promote reading and poetry has now evolved into a recognized Cultural Point in the region, serving as a platform that fosters literary creation from the south.

The initiative aims to revive the poetic tradition shaped by important figures from La Araucanía, such as Juvencio Valle, Selva Saavedra, Jorge Teillier, and Eytel himself, among many others, capturing a perspective of poetry that is deeply connected to the territory, community, and camaraderie among writers.

«In this fourth edition, we aim to encourage interactions among different generations, journeys, and perspectives, engaging in dialogue around memory, landscape, identities, and the questions of our time,» commented Paula Alderete, director of the festival.

Extensive Reach

As the years have progressed, the festival has strengthened its impact and broadened its reach. In 2026, its fourth edition is supported by funding from the Ministry of Cultures, Arts, and Heritage, through the Book and Reading Fund, and sponsored by the Municipality of Temuco, allowing for an expanded program with international guests and new municipalities in the region.

In this context, Temuco’s mayor, Roberto Neira, emphasized the event’s cultural heritage value: «Remembering the legacy of a National Literature Prize born in Temuco, like Guido Eytel, means transcending his influence to the poets who have emerged from this region. We remember him for his work, books, and poetry, but also for his enduring concern for other poets.»