Chilean history and legacy explored through literature and video games

The legacy of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and the historical memory of the 1973 military coup continue to be explored through various cultural mediums. On the anniversary of his death on September 23, 1973, the Nobel Prize winner is remembered for his monumental literary contributions, including ‘Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada’ and ‘Canto General’. His passing, occurring shortly after the coup against Salvador Allende, remains a subject of historical debate regarding whether his death was accelerated by the military dictatorship.

In addition to literature, digital media is being used to address this period of Chilean history. Independent video games such as ‘Dirty Wars’, developed by Uglycat Studios, attempt to portray the civil resistance between 1973 and 1978. While ‘Dirty Wars’ aims to reach an international audience through English translations and Spanish voice acting, it has faced criticism from players regarding gameplay, historical representation, and technical execution.