The famous Slovak writer who reinvented himself in Patagonia

Michaela Rosová wants readers to look past what was taught about Martin Kukučín in school.

In the city of Punta Arenas in southern Chile, there is a family health centre with a plaque on its façade bearing the name Mateo Bencur. In Spanish, they pronounce it “Bencur”. Recently, a children’s reading corner was opened there.

It is not the only trace left by the writer known in Slovakia as Martin Kukučín (1860-1928). While living in Patagonia, he wrote a remarkable travelogue about his wanderings through this remote corner of the world.

In her new book “Sprievodca K”, writer Michaela Rosová deliberately approaches the well-known author from fresh perspectives and rejects the reduction of his legacy to idyllic village tales.

“The Patagonian travelogue was written by a different Kukučín from the young man full of illusions who wrote village sketches and humorous stories. During his walks he becomes meditative,” she says.