International Poetry Festival of Medellín

The International Poetry Festival of Medellín (Spanish:Festival Internacional de Poesía de Medellín) is an annual festival held in Medellín, the second-largest city of Colombia. It was founded in 1991.

Background and history

Medellín has a reputation for violence,[1] and from its beginning in 1991, the festival has attempted to offer an alternative.[2][3]

In 2011 the World Poetry Movement was founded in the context of the World Gathering of Directors from 37 International Poetry Festivals, held in Medellín.[citation needed]

Recognition and awards

In 2006 the festival was one of the recipients of the Right Livelihood Award.[4][3][2] The citation for the award explained that it was given "…for showing how creativity, beauty, free expression and community can flourish amongst and overcome even deeply entrenched fear and violence."[5]

The festival has also won a Spanish literary award for its contribution to peace among other things.[6]

Appearances by poets

In 2015, Indigenous Australian poet Samuel Wagan Watson represented Australia at the festival.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Colombia the Most Dangerous City". Time. March 21, 1988. Archived from the original on April 28, 2007. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "2006 Right Livelihood Awards honour pioneers for peace". CCPA Monitor. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. 2007. Archived 2002-03-31 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ a b "Festival Internacional de Poesía de Medellín". Right Livelihood. September 13, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  4. ^ "Achievements and realizations". Festival Internacional de Poesía de Medellín. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  5. ^ "Alternative Nobel Prize for international poetry festival Medellin". 2006. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  6. ^ Arias, Sara (June 28, 2013). "Premio "Aula de las metáforas"". La Nueva España. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  7. ^ Watson, Samuel Wagan (July 6, 2015). "Indigenous poet Samuel Wagan Watson on new book, Love Poems and Death Threats" (text only available). ABC listen (Interview). Earshot. Interviewed by Ladd, Mike. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
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