Surprise Statement from Álvaro, Son of Mario Vargas Llosa: 'We Do It Discreetly'

About to turn 89 years old, Mario Vargas Llosa has once again visited key places in Lima that inspired his works. Although the most curious thing is that he does so without the siege of fans or media. In a surprise statement, his son Álvaro revealed the secret to doing it without attracting crowds: "We do it discreetly".

The Nobel Prize winner has visited emblematic sites such as the Leoncio Prado Military School, La Catedral bar, and the San Juan de Lurigancho prison. But how does he manage these tours without the media harassment that accompanied him for decades?

Vargas Llosa's Return to the Settings of His Novels

In recent months, Mario Vargas Llosa has returned to places that marked his life and work. Sites like Barrios Altos, Cinco Esquinas, and Quinta Heeren have been part of his tours, allowing him to reconnect with the essence of Lima.

Away from media exposure, Vargas Llosa follows a strategy to avoid crowds and ceremonies that, according to his son Álvaro, are not to his liking. "We do it discreetly, surprisingly, seeking the moment and place with fewer people, always spontaneously", he explained on his X account.

The writer has left behind large public appearances and prefers to explore his hometown privately. His son has been key in this process, organizing visits that respect his desire for tranquility and reflection.

Discretion and spontaneity are the pillars of these walks. Álvaro revealed that they carefully choose the most suitable moments for each visit. "Without giving time to anything: neither enthusiasm, nor crowds, nor -even less- any ceremony or solemnity. It is what the moment and his will (and ours) dictate", he stated.

Since announcing in 2024 that his father would drastically reduce his public appearances, Álvaro has been in charge of fulfilling his wish. In Lima, the writer has dedicated himself to family life, with sporadic outings that recall the settings of his stories.

The Emblematic Places He Has Recently Visited

Mario Vargas Llosa has toured various historical and cultural points in Lima that are deeply linked to his work. Among these places are:

1. The Leoncio Prado Military School: The main inspiration for The Time of the Hero, this place was where Vargas Llosa lived formative experiences that shaped his worldview.

2. The San Juan de Lurigancho Prison: A essential setting in The Real Life of Alejandro Mayta, this prison reflected the social and political tensions that Vargas Llosa addressed in his writings.

3. Jirón Huatica: Located in Lima's old red-light district, this street is mentioned in several of his novels for its atmosphere filled with history and culture. Vargas Llosa visited it in early 2025, exploring the spaces that were part of his stories.

4. La Catedral Bar: Although this place no longer exists, its importance in Conversation in the Cathedral makes it a symbolic point in the writer's life.

5. The House of Creole Composer Felipe Pinglo Alva: In his most recent tour, Vargas Llosa also attempted to visit the house of this famous Peruvian musician in Barrios Altos. Although he couldn't enter the building, this moment was significant within his journey.

6. The Marsano Theater: In October 2024, Vargas Llosa attended a private performance of the play Who Killed Palomino Molero?, based on his novel of the same name.

Mario Vargas Llosa has found a way to relive the settings of his novels without the noise that accompanied him for years. With the discretion strategy led by his son Álvaro, the Nobel Prize in Literature continues to connect with his legacy in Lima, showing that his presence continues to leave a mark.