Worker scene. Between the pen and the gunpowder” at Casa Marx Santiago

Revolutionary Art: Unraveling the Origins of Working Class Cultural Expression

Portraying a relevant character in our history through a biography has in most cases been the chosen way to expose those facts that allow us to understand their personality and motivations. However, this narrative arouses certain skepticism in some readers, eager to recognize the slightest judgment on the part of the author.

The book “Recabarren Escena Obrera, entre la pen y la pólvora” breaks these biographical schemes by adding a large amount of documentation based on the review of the press, pamphlets, poems, plays and an extensive bibliographical review of superior quality, material never before exhibited in some copy that addresses the life and work of this political, union and social leader from the beginning of the 20th century.

The intention of the author Valeria Paz Yáñez Álvarez to bring her legacy to the present arises from the desire to study the figure of Recabarren as a cultural activator, rescuing the theatrical tradition of the time of which she was a precursor with the aspiration of valuing it as cultural heritage intangible of our country.

The first edition of this copy reaches everyone thanks to the financing of the National Fund for the Promotion of Books and Reading in its 2021 call and the collaboration of the Socialist Ideas Editorial, who saw in Valeria’s work the valuable possibility of transmitting to the new generations linked to theater creation, students, artists and intellectuals the fundamental role of cultural expression as a tool for the formation of class consciousness.

The material presented in the book also has the innovative inclusion of multiple formats to approach the work of this outstanding exponent of working-class culture with all the senses, offering the reader the possibility of scanning a QR code at the beginning of each chapter to experience a leap into the past with Luis Emilio Recabarren.

The book was presented in the northern part of the country in two meetings, in the cities of Iquique and Antofagasta in February 2024. In Iquique it was presented at the Regional Museum, which brought together the author with Iván Vera Pinto, an academic from the Arturo University Prat, in Antofagasta was the Desierto Rojo Socialist Cultural House, where the writer was accompanied by Arlette Ibarra Valenzuela, actress, playwright and academic in the Performing Arts degree at the University of Antofagasta.

You may be interested in: Antofagasta. Successful launch of the book “Recabarren: Worker Scene. Between the pen and the gunpowder

In Santiago, the first launch took place on book day, April 23, in the Sala Isidora Aguirre to a full room, where more than 150 books were distributed to the attendees. The presentation was given by Mauricio Barría, a professor in the University’s Theater Department, and Ana López, a doctor in Latin American studies, who also wrote the book’s prologue.

You may be interested in: A full room at the University of Chile. Successful launch of “Recabarren: Escena Obrera. Entre la Pluma y la Pólvora” by Valeria Yañez

This May 11, within the framework of National Theater Day, the presentation will be held at Casa Marx, a cultural and socialist space, located in San Joaquín, steps from the Rodrigo de Araya metro. Casa Marx is the place of operation of the Socialist Ideas Publishing House and a variety of artistic and cultural activities.

On this occasion, they present Alberto Kurapel, actor, playwright, director, President of the Republic National Performing Arts Award 2023, and Dauno Totoro, graduate in history and leader of the Revolutionary Workers Party (PTR).

Copies of the book will be given free of charge to people who attend the presentation. And copies will also be sold to those who want to bring more than one copy.