El trabajo de Antonio Cornejo-Polar, a quien este volumen rinde homenaje, aliment durante varias dcadas la reflexin ms seria y articulada que se haya producido en Per sobre la crtica cultural que se vincula a la raz misma del campo interpretado, a sus ms profundas y conflictivas condiciones de existencia y desarrollo histrico. La obra de Cornejo-Polar se ci a la cultura andina en la regin peruana. Su acercamiento acotado a la problemtica cultural andina pas a constituir un modelo de interpretacin aplicable a mltiples aspectos de la cultura latinoamericana y a distintos momentos de su historia. Su trabajo sobre la problemtica indigenista fue una labor incansable llena de fe en el trabajo crtico e interpretativo, generosidad, tolerancia sin concesiones, rigor y fuerza intelectual. Abri una ruta para que todos entendiramos mejor el sentido y compromiso de nuestro trabajo y para que nos adentrramos en la interioridad de un continente sorprendente, ignorado, que l contribuy en gran medida, a presentar en toda su desafiante complejidad. ~ The work of Antonio Cornejo-Polar, to whom this volume pays homage, fueled for several decades the most serious and articulate reflection that has been produced in Peru on cultural criticism that is linked to the very roots of its interpreted field, to its deepest and conflicting conditions of existence and historical development. Cornejo-Polar's work explored Andean culture in the Peruvian region. His focused approach to Andean cultural issues became a model of interpretation applicable to multiple aspects of Latin American culture and to different moments in its history. His work on indigenous issues was tireless, generous, tolerant without concessions, rigorous and full of faith in critical and interpretative work, and intellectual strength. He opened a path for all of us to better understand the meaning and commitment of our work and for us to delve into a surprising unknown continent, which he portrayed in all its challenging complexity.