Poldark Mego Ramirez
This is a dialogue with Poldark Mego Ramirez, about the SFF in Peru.
Please present yourself to our readers.
My name is Poldark Mego, and I am:
- a psychologist, author of „Pandemia Z: Supervivientes” (torre de papel, 2019) and „El Domo, historias distopicas” (torre de papel, 2020)
- 2020 feria del libro outlet and 2020 international convention of fantastic literature uroboros organizer
- founding member of the association of science fiction, fantasy and horror literature Peru CFFT
- Winner of the first place in the international science fiction contest „Earth in the year 3000” by Trazos editores
- Anthologizer of Primitive Pulp and Cyberterror (2020) with Speedwagon Media Works publisher
- executive and editorial director of the fantastic literature label Pez del Abismo.
Please try to make a brief introduction on the Peruan SF history.
In the case of Peru, we couldn’t speak of a history of local SF.
Our literature has been more in the realm of fantasy and realism. It is not until authors such as José B Adolph (1933-2008) or Juan Rivera Saavedra (1930-2021) who start a path of SF in Peru, which has been consolidated in the last twenty years, with greater production in futurism and space opera.
Right now authors like Alexis Iparraguirre, Carlos Echevarría and Daniel Salvo have the post of the Peruvian SF with productions recognized inside and outside the country
Which are the most popular SF magazines and fanzins (printed and online) in Peru?
At the moment „Relatos increibles” from Acuedi editorial and „Nictofilia” from Cthulhu editorial that continue with a constant publication.
Which are the SF&F Clubs that have regular meetings?
Among the main clubs of Sf&F in Peru are: Kingdom comics, which is a group of all geek culture and has its own festival. Star Trek Peru, which is an association only for members and they meet privately behind closed doors and Peruvian Tolkien society which is a highly organized association that performs medieval festivals with free admission.
Which are the most important local and national SF&F associations?
Strictly from SF I would say that the Peruvian association of Science fiction, fantasy and horror Peru CFFT is the one that have greater movement and international recognition, being Spain, Chile and Argentina strategic partners. Unfortunately, our meetings have been halted by the health emergency. However, we still maintain coordination via Zoom between partners
Which are the printing houses that publish mainly SF and Fantasy?
Most of the publishers that publish SF and Fantasy are independent editorials. Among the main ones are: Ediciones Altazor, which has a line of SF and Fantasy publications. Torre de papel, which publishes the news about epic fantasy, space opera, horror, etc. SpeedWagon Media Works that has specific publications of genre literature and inside the country is Trazos Ediciones that specializes in regional fantasy
Which are the most popular SF&F conventions in Peru? What are their main attractions?
Until before the pandemic, we only had the festival „El día del comic” organized by Kingdom Comics, which brought together a lot of people.
It was the only festival that was still standing, as the Otakufest, Horrorfest, and others, had disappeared. Last year the Uróboros convention that I organized was launched in its first version in a virtual way, we were able to gather more than 60 authors from Latin America and more than 100,000 viewers and this year we hope to do it in person
Who are the main author names in today’s Peruan SF&F?
The list would be: Alexis Iparraguirre, Carlos Echevarría, Carlos de la torre Paredes, Daniel Salvo, Mariangela Ugarelli, Yeniva Fernandez, Carlos Saldivar, Tanya Tynjala, Jeremy Torres Montero, Cecilia Zero, Poldark Mego, among others.
Give us some names of SF&F Peruan graphic artists.
For example: Giovani José Menendez y Kaly Yuga, Ivy Rocío Flores y Carlo Alfredo Gonzales.
What makes Peruan SF original?
The main characteristics of the Peruvian SF is the mixture of Andean or Inca elements in the universes. The presence of the idiosyncrasy of our pluriculture.
The aboriginal elements of the jungle. A look towards a more sustainable future or a terrible dystopia, those extremes are very present.
