The work, which is called "Culinary Constellations of Choapa. Voices and Memories", is the result of exhaustive field research with dozens of cultivators in the area, and will be available in the Library of the University of La Serena, an institution where The launch was carried out in the company of authorities, neighbors, editors and representatives of Minera Los Pelambres. 

“First, it is important to host activities that come from the places furthest from the regional capital and our central offices. Another element that unites us in this activity is related to the theme of the text, given the connection from our specialty with the Astronomy career, the relationship with the constellations, but also with the communities. With these words, the Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Luperfina Rojas, highlighted the presentation of the book “Culinary Constellations of Choapa, Voices and Memories”, a work prepared by the 2013 National Humanities and Social Sciences Award winner, Sonia Montecino, together with Rolf Foerster and Alejandra Alvear, under a project promoted by Minera Los Pelambres to immortalize the gastronomic heritage of the province of Choapa.

In this sense, Rector Rojas thanked “key actors with whom we coordinate to carry out various actions in favor of our region and its inhabitants, such as Minera and Fundación Los Pelambres, with whom we will develop various activities during this year under the auspices of our Collaboration agreement".

Marisol Díaz, Public Affairs Manager of Minera Los Pelambres, stated that “the book we present is a cultural rescue of traditions, which is very relevant to revive and reconstruct the culinary heritage of Choapa. They are the voices of grandfathers and grandmothers who tell how they obtained their resources, how they cooked and met as a family. This is what we seek to value and disseminate at the local, regional and national level as a treasure of Choapa.”

The work is the result of exhaustive field research that, after dozens of meetings with cultivators in the area, unravels the richness of the communes of Salamanca, Illapel, Los Vilos and Canela around preparations featuring, for example, meat. goat, cheeses, stews, corn, cochayuyo or chuchoca, in addition to countless stories and anecdotes.

Regarding the importance of its creation and dissemination, its author, Sonia Montecino, assured that “it is a book that allows the circulation of knowledge and memory necessary in the region and the country. It is a model of working with communities and people that highlights the work of women, since they have ensured that tradition is not lost. It is essential that private companies have a policy towards culture, since the country does not have one. This book is culture, both of Choapa and also of the country and, therefore, this contribution is fundamental.”