The “Kites of Valparaíso” land at Centex

Free, all-ages workshops invite kids, teens, and grown-ups to tap into one of Chilean pop culture's most airborne traditions.

The action kicks off Tuesday, August 18, with an intriguing premise: How do you actually build a traditional Chilean volantín? What aerodynamic secrets are folded into its design to ensure the ultimate flight? Unravel these mysteries and more in the free workshops led by master kite-maker Boris Prado at Centex this August and September.

Heir to a legendary family craft, Boris learned the ropes from his grandfather, Guillermo Prado—a certified titan in Chilean kite history. Today, he channels that lineage into igniting the next generation, fiercely convinced this piece of cultural DNA belongs out where it thrives: in plazas, parks, and buzzing community spaces.

Each session offers a hands-on crash course in the craft, diving into the materials, build hacks, and subtle physics that make the Chilean volantín an undisputed icon of homegrown folk culture.

Beyond the art of crafting, these sessions offer a fresh lens on the craft's history, highlighting its punch as a cultural badge while sparking a creative flow rooted in play, memory, and collective vibe. For Boris Prado, teaching is pure cultural preservation—a way to push back against vanishing open spaces and the shift toward screen-dominated play.

That is why he spends all year running workshops across schools and urban spaces, passing the torch to younger crowds. Doubling down on the experience, Centex is opening an exhibition on September 5 dedicated to his craft, featuring a curated selection of his pieces and the multi-generational backstory keeping this art aloft.

Consider this your cue to build with your own hands, swap wisdom, and rediscover the cultural muscle of an artifact that paints Chile’s skyline every September.