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Attractions: Culture

The Elqui valley has been an area of rural tradition, although the small farmers (campesinos) are disappearing after the sale of vast territories to the big owners who today engage in the two principal economic activities: the vineyards that produce grapes for the traditional Pisco and also grapes for exportation.

Nonetheless, there is no doubt that this is the land of the "huasos" (Chilean Cowboys), rooted in the time of the colonization. The "huasos" developped a particular identity expressing a captivating pride of their profession and their traditions, especially with Chilean creole horses and all that is connected with them. Their knowledge consists normally of the skill and know-how gained in generations, a kn????&?owledge which has been passed over from one generation to the next. You will find that easy to see once you are here - they love the Cordillera and manifest a sense of belonging there. Traditional "fiestas" are the Rodeo and Chilean Races (Carrera a la Chilena), which take place in September, but there are also local festivities all over the year, depending on the organisations.

Another cultural attraction consists of the churches of each of the villages. They are of a neo-classistic style with gothic elements from Europe but shaped in a particular rural way. The local architecture also is interesting, because of the endemic materials used for constructions, most of all adobe combined with stones, natural fibers, willow wood and algarrobo.

Although at a smaller range we also find producing traditions with a cultural background like the process of drying different fruits, the production of goat cheese made by shepherds and their families beginning right with milking the goats themselves, work with bees and their different products like honey, propolis and apitherapy, a branch of alternative medicine. There is also a lot of artistic and handicraft work: basket makers, textile production and ceramics are the major ones.

Being in the Elqui Valley you will constantly be reminded of Gabriela Mistral, and actually the people here are very proud of her and her work - even the children get to know her poetry at school.

To learn more about life and work of Gabriela Mistral and her profound connection with the valley, we recommend visiting the Museum Gabriela Mistral in Vicuña and the Museum in Montegrande. To reach an even deeper level of understanding about the relation of Gabriela Mistral and her writing and this land we recommend to take the Tour "Gabriela Mistral".