Mariano Melgar

Was Mariano Melgar a soldier or a poet? The answer, as we stand here in the district of Arequipa named in his honor, is both. Mariano Melgar, born in Arequipa in 1790, was a man of incredible intellect. He could read and write by the age of three. By ten, he was fluent in English and French. His mind devoured knowledge, excelling in mathematics, philosophy, theology, and literature. Yet, his heart yearned for the freedom of his beloved Peru. Mariano Melgar, the poet, poured his soul into his verses. He immortalized his love for Manuelita Paredes, his “Melissa,” in the poignant “Soneto a la Mujer.” His yaravíes, hauntingly beautiful love songs, resonated with the spirit of his homeland. He later fell deeply in love with his cousin, María Santos Corrales, his “Silvia,” for whom he crafted even more passionate verses. But Mariano Melgar wasn’t just a poet. He was a revolutionary. When Mateo Pumacahua’s rebellion ignited in Cusco in 1814, Melgar, the scholar, became Melgar, the soldier. He joined Pumacahua’s forces. His intellect earned him the position of Auditor de Guerra. The fight for freedom led them to victory at the Battle of Apacheta, here in Arequipa. Then, they marched on to Puno and the fateful Battle of Umachiri. There, on March 12, 1815, Melgar, just 24 years old, faced a firing squad. His last words were a prophecy: “Blindfold yourselves, for you are the deceived ones. America will be free in less than ten years!” Nine years later, his prophecy came true at the Battle of Ayacucho, sealing Peru’s independence. Here in Mariano Melgar, his name echoes through the streets, a testament to his courage, his passion, and his unwavering belief in a free Peru.