Viaje de recreo

"Viaje de recreo" (Pleasure Trip), published posthumously in 1909, is a remarkable travelogue by the pioneering Peruvian journalist and novelist Clorinda Matto de Turner (1852-1909). Exiled in Argentina since 1895, Matto embarked on a six-month journey through Europe in 1908, commissioned by the Buenos Aires Board of Education to investigate women's education. This work is not merely a travel diary but a profound meditation on cultural values, national identity, and the rapid changes of modernity.

Matto de Turner, a keen observer and astute journalist, scrutinizes European culture with a critical eye, constantly comparing it to her beloved Peru and the wider Americas. She meticulously catalogs cultural differences, from dining experiences to labor conditions, and analyzes museum collections as deliberate self-constructions of national history. Her work explores the tension between European modernization (trains, technology, factories) and the enduring heritage of centuries of art, architecture, and customs.

Throughout her journey, Matto grapples with an inherent ambivalence: she desires America to embrace the best of European progress while simultaneously wishing to preserve cherished aspects of indigenous and American culture. She expresses a deep nostalgia for her native Peru and the Andean world, often lamenting their absence or misrepresentation in European perceptions.

A fierce advocate for women's rights, Matto is particularly struck by the advancements of women in various European countries, especially England, which she idealizes for its moral rectitude and women's educational and professional opportunities. Yet, she also critically observes Spain's antiquated educational system and the pervasive influence of the Church.

"Viaje de recreo" is a unique blend of objective observation and deeply personal reflection, an autobiographical account that blurs the boundaries between travelogue and memoir. It is a testament to Matto's comprehensive self-awareness, her "strong and defined passions," and her unwavering commitment to social progress. This Stockcero edition, edited by Mary G. Berg, is an invaluable resource for understanding Matto de Turner's complex intellectual journey and her enduring legacy as a voice for social justice and women's empowerment in Latin America.