Photo by Erik de Leon
Lima CityPoems: El Parque del Amor (Love Park)This park in the capital of Peru is situated along the Pacific shoreline. It is graced by a sculptured monument to love. El Beso (The Kiss), sculpted by Victor Delfín, was placed here to celebrate the lovers who gather to catch the sunset off the shoreline of Miraflores. Newlyweds flock here in search of idyllic scenery to capture their nuptial bliss on film for posterity. The park was heavily influenced by Gaudi’s Park Guëll in Barcelona.
Photo by Jenrock / Photo by Vincent Ma
The poet Antonio Cilloniz lamented that "In the cities, they do not build monuments to lovers", a reaction, to all the monuments in South America (and everywhere else) devoted to those who had distinguished themselves in battle by either winning or dying. Miraflores decided to be the exception and opened the Parque del Amor on February 14, 1993, St Valentine's Day.
Photo by Pierre Poulequin The major sculpture in the park is of "El Beso", a couple engaged in a passionate kiss. It was sculpted by Victor Delfin. The statue was built over Cilloniz's very own words. The sculpture celebrates the lovers who gather to catch the sunset on the waters of the Pacific Ocean. It is said that the locals compete for the longest kiss under this statue. The tiles at the base of the sculpture are covered in famous quotes about love.
Photo by Capienzzo
“En las ciudades no hacen monumentos a los amantes” (In cities, they do not build monuments to lovers”
Antonio Cilloniz
Walking here at most times of the day and night you can see couples here, kissing or snuggled close together.
Photo by Steve Corbato
Some of the quotes (some with translation):
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"Te desvisto como quien pela una fruta" Jorge Diaz Herrera
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“A ti como la luz del mundo a las ventanas” Juan Gonzalo Rose
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“Amor es como luz” (Love is like light) Martin Adan
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“Tuyo soy como mi cuerpo de la tierra que lo aguarda” (I am yours as my body is of the earth that awaits it) Juan Rios
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“Tu de este lado y yo del otro como dos remos” Cecilia Y Alberto
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“Mi sueno es una isla perdida” Alberto Vega
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“Besame amor que me estoy muriendo” (Kiss me my love for I am dying) Elki Burgos
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“Si sonara el amor intenso como el mar”. (When the heart beats as intense as the sea) Pablo Guevara
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“Me quemo para no ver el sitio vacio de tu cuerpo” Washington Delgado
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“Los arboles febriles continuando su vida en nuestras vidas” (The constant trees continue their lives in our life) Emilio Adolfo Wesphalen
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“Solo tengo en la vida tu silencio y tu boca” Juan Parra del Riego
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“Finge corazón, díle que las amass” (Pretend my heart, tell her that you love her) Marco Martos
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“La presencia de tus ojos impidió que llegarda la luna hasta nosotros” Marco Antonio Corcuera
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“Yo soy quien, bajo la lluvia temblaba de ternura” Cecilia Bustamante
Photo by Joe Jimenez
Photos by dgphilli
Photo by Simpliciter
Photo by Encontrado
Photos by S2RD2
Inspiring Cities Museum of CityPoems
Inspiring Cities has collected many citypoems over the years, as well as organized salons with citypoets and cities doing special projects. We have two criteria for what a citypoem is: the intention must be poetic, and it must be in the public realm of cities. Shapes, form and locations can and do differ.
The Museum of CityPoems has citypoems from cities all over the world. From Alhambra to Zonnebeke, from Taipei to Lima.
Got one yourself? Mail us your pictures (free of rights) and description, and we will publish.