On a radiant winter morning, with a warm breeze caressing the calm waters of the bay, the Zapallar fishing cove came alive. Color, music and community came together for a new San Pedro Festival, the celebration of the patron saint of artisanal fishing. It had been postponed while the iconic stone pier was being renovated, and it returned in full force to keep traditions alive.
As the piercing sound of whistles, flutes and drums filled the streets of Zapallar, the music guided the procession from the church to the cove, while chinos dance brotherhoods, with men and women from different towns in the area, paid tribute to Saint Peter. It is a ritual song that unites generations and, in a collective trance, made the whole community vibrate, drawing dozens of people to an event organized by the Zapallar Artisanal Fishers Union with support from the Municipality of Zapallar.
On a calm sea, the boats, decorated as for the great celebrations, sailed across the bay carrying visitors and accompanying Saint Peter in a procession of prayer full of gratitude and hope.
But this San Pedro Festival held a special milestone: the renewal of the collaboration agreement between the Zapallar Artisanal Fishers Union and Capital Azul Foundation for the TURF-Reserve. It was not just a signature; it was a commitment to livelihoods, identity and the future. It is a long-term effort built on community roots, and this solemn yet meaningful ceremony was attended by María Soledad Tapia, National Director of Sernapesca (the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service), and representatives of the Municipality of Zapallar. TURF-Reserves create deep bonds through an act that is both collaborative and collective.
“We have renewed energy to keep working in Zapallar, because we see a long-term commitment that fills us with expectations about what lies ahead. This is a joint effort, and the members of the union are very excited about what they have achieved and what is coming for the TURF-Reserve. Milestones like this show that the TURF-Reserve grows stronger thanks to the work and dedication of the community,” said Rodrigo Sánchez Grez, Executive Director of Capital Azul Foundation.
“Thanks to this TURF-Reserve, our cove is opening up to the community. So what better way to sign this agreement than at the fishers’ festival, where the whole community joins us,” said Sergio Veas, president of the Zapallar Artisanal Fishers Union.
TURF-RESERVES ON THE BIG SCREEN
Later in the afternoon, the bay witnessed a special premiere: on a giant screen, with the sea as a backdrop, ‘TURF-Reserves: Artisanal Fishers Caring for the Ocean’ was screened. Directed by Chilean documentary filmmaker Valentina Díaz Saravia, the film portrays the lives of those who breathe the sea every day, turning their memories and dreams into a living legacy for future generations.
Through the voices of artisanal fishers, both men and women, the documentary inspired the audience to look to the future with hope, highlighting how TURF-Reserves are born within the community to protect biodiversity and pass on a healthy ocean to the community.
Sergio Veas doesn’t hide his excitement. He admitted that the event turned out much better than expected, and he believes several reasons gave it a special flavor: “The documentary was really good, I got very good feedback about it. We held a different kind of San Pedro Festival, and it was great to show the documentary. It had been a long time since we had a festival as beautiful as this one. There were lots of people, everyone went out on the boats, and the documentary was beautiful.”
The San Pedro Festival in Zapallar was not only a reunion with tradition, but also a reminder of the deep bond between the sea and the community. Amid music, boats and stories, it became clear that the TURF-Reserve is more than a conservation area: it is a shared legacy built day by day, with hope and collective work, so that future generations inherit a living ocean.
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