A Literary Feast in the Heart of Barcelona
Barcelona, the vibrant Catalan capital, is preparing to host the 27th edition of Barcelona Poetry, a literary event that promises to captivate the senses and ignite the imagination.
For a week, the city will be transformed into an epicenter of verse, with 44 activities that will bring together 130 poets of national and international renown.
In addition to the poetic performances, the festival will have a series of parallel proposals that will take place throughout the month of May, offering an immersive literary experience.
A Celebration of Poetic Diversity
This edition of Barcelona Poesía has been designed to embrace diverse poetic sensibilities, exploring literary currents and the richness of poetic fact.
The Mallorcan writer Antònia Vicens will have the honor of opening the festival with a proclamation that will take the form of a prayer, a tribute to poetry as a form of expression.
Lydia Lunch: The Iconic Spirit of the Counterculture
The opening day will culminate with a performance by Lydia Lunch, an iconic figure of spoken word and North American counterculture since the 1970s.
With his unique voice and rebellious spirit, Lunch embodies the No Wave movement and has collaborated with artists such as Sonic Youth and Nick Cave.
Barcelona: A Taste of Poetry
Under the title ‘Tears, Oil, Salt’, Antònia Vicens will offer an inaugural address which, in homage to poetry, will take the form of a prayer. It will be this Wednesday, May 15, at 7 p.m., in Paral·lel room 62.
The opening party will continue with the humorous show ‘Barcelona Ratafia’, where the most recognized poets of our country will meet on the stage of the Raval hall.
Mireia Calafell, Marina de Cabo, Jordi Solà, Hug Casals, Irene Tarrés and Joan Tomàs Martínez will share their verses, accompanied by actors and actresses Núria Martínez-Vernis, Oriol Sauleda, Núria Coromines, Frances Ribes Renshaw and Quimet Pla.
Lydia Lunch: A Voice That Transcends Borders
One of the highlights of Barcelona Poesía will be the performance of Lydia Lunch, with her poetic-musical performance ‘Rise Above’. Her voice, accompanied by Ian White’s improvised percussion, promises a unique sensory experience.
In addition to Lunch, the festival will feature the participation of prominent literary figures such as the Slovenian poet Anja Golob, the young Catalan poet Raquel Santanera, the philologist Francisco Ferrer Lerín and the Portuguese writer Raquel Lima.
Voices of Resistance and Freedom
Among the guests at Barcelona Poesía, Joseba Sarrionandia stands out, one of the most relevant Basque writers in Basque literature.
Sarrionandia, in addition to his literary side, is known for his past as a member of ETA and his subsequent exile for 36 years. His story of struggle and resistance resonates strongly in the literary world.
Another writer who has suffered repression for his ideas is the Moroccan poet Abdellatif Laâbi, founder of the magazine ‘Souffles’ and a key figure in the literary renewal of the Maghreb.
Laâbi was imprisoned for his activities opposing the regime and currently lives in France, where he continues his fight for freedom of expression.
Beyond the Written Word
Barcelona Poesía offers experiences that go beyond poetic readings.
The premiere of ‘Titó. 46 Minutes in the life of dawn’, based on a poem by Alice Oswald, fuses poetry and music with the participation of Irish poet Annemarie Ní Churreáin and Majorcan singer Mar Grimalt.
The festival also includes musical recitals such as ‘Xant de Cabrota’, which explores the traditions of the Pyrenees with the poet Arnau Orobitg and the musician Arnau Obiols.
Perejaume and Carles Rebassa will converge in the ‘Open Vergel’ recital, where their poetic and artistic creations are intertwined in a unique experience.
