Luis Sepúlveda Calfucura was a distinguished Chilean writer, journalist, and a filmmaker. Born on October 4, 1949, in Ovalle, Chile, and passing away on April 16, 2020, in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain, Sepúlveda's life was marked by his deep engagement with the political and social issues of his time. A committed communist militant, he was a fervent opponent of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship in Chile. During the 1970s, his resistance against the regime led to his imprisonment and torture by the military dictatorship.

Sepúlveda's literary journey encompassed a wide array of genres, including poetry, short stories, and novels. He was multi-lingual, fluent in Spanish, English, French, and Italian, which enriched his literary output and perspective. His critical acclaim began in the late 1980s with the publication of his first novel, El viejo que leía novelas de amor (The Old Man Who Read Love Stories), which remains one of his most celebrated works.

Throughout his life, Sepúlveda was also politically active, initially as a leader of the student movement and later within the Salvador Allende administration in the department of cultural affairs. He played a significant role in making classic literature accessible to the general public through a series of affordable editions. His political activism, however, did not come without cost. After the Chilean coup, he was forced into exile, a period during which he continued to champion the cause of justice and human rights.

Sepúlveda resided in Gijón, Spain, for the last decades of his life, where he continued to write and engage with issues close to his heart. His legacy as a writer and activist continues to inspire people around the globe.