The reconstruction of everything undone: The Tacna intellectual project in ‘Letras: A bimonthly modernist magazine’

Abstract

The emergence of Letras: A modernista bimonthly journal (1896-1898) must be understood within the historical context in which Tacna was under Chilean administration and awaiting the plebiscite that would determine either its definitive annexation to Chile or its reincorporation into Peru. It was published by the intellectual and diplomat José María Barreto. Letras articulated a dual project. It contributed to the development of Latin American modernismo while le-gitimizing Tacna’s role in the broader cultural life of Peru. The journal also assumed a patriotic role by constructing a community around love for the Peruvian homeland during Chilean occupation.