The Miguel Hernández Chair of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) and the Pablo Neruda Chair of the University of Chile have signed a twinning agreement in order to establish a program of joint activities. Its aim is to promote study and research on the two poets.

Attending the meeting were the UMH Vice Rector for Institutional Relations, María Teresa Pérez Vázquez; the UMH Vice Rector for International Relations, Manuel Jordán Vidal; the Director of the Miguel Hernández Chair, Francisco Esteve Ramírez; the Vice President of Outreach and Communication of the University of Chile, Faride Zerán Chelech; and the Deputy Director of the Central Archive of the University of Chile, Richard Solis.

Planning this meeting between the Pablo Neruda and Miguel Hernández chairs began last year, on the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the non nata edition of the collection of poetry, El hombre Acecha (The Man Lurks), which Miguel Hernández dedicated to Pablo Neruda. In that dedication, the poet from Orihuela recounts his close relationship with his Chilean counterpart. Miguel Hernández wanted to deliver this collection to Pablo Neruda personally, but the Spanish Civil War prevented him from doing so. During the meeting, the UMH presented the Pablo Neruda Chair with a facsimile edition of this collection, which never saw the light of day because the printer in Valencia publishing it at that time had been under assault by Franco’s troops. The Pablo Neruda Chair was also presented with a bronze bust of Miguel Hernández and some editions of work by the poet from Orihuela.

One of the first activities that may arise from this agreement is the announcement of a Novel Award for University Poetry, aimed at university students who aspire to be published in the first edition of a free theme Spanish-language collection of poetry.