Caracas and various Venezuelan cities will be the scene of the XIX World Poetry Festival of Venezuela between July 14 and 20. This special edition is dedicated to Palestine as guest of honor and yield tribute to the poet Belén OjedaThe opening of the festival will take place at the José Félix Ribas Hall of the Teresa Carreño Theater, one of the most emblematic cultural spaces in Caracas, at 18:00 p.m. on Monday, July 14.
Over the course of a week, the festival will bring together more than 40 international authors y around 150 Venezuelan poets who will participate in different activities spread across 20 states of the country. Palestine will be represented by nine prominent poets: Nabiha Hamid, Ali Al Ameri, Mohammed Khdour, Najy Juma Najy, Nasser Attaallah, Ahlam Bsharat, Yousef Abdelaziz, Ghada Khalil and Murad Sudani.
A festival focused on cultural diversity and solidarity
The festival seeks to be a meeting space for poetic voices from America, Africa, Asia and Europe. Poets from India, China, Senegal, Iran, Argentina, Vietnam, Mexico, Morocco, Libya, Switzerland, Bangladesh and other nations will present their work alongside the Venezuelan hosts. freddy nanez, Vice President of Communication and Culture, emphasized at a press conference the importance of the event as a platform for expressing social and political awareness, especially among the younger generations.
This festival especially highlights the Palestinian cause, with the intention of make their reality visible through artAccording to Ñáñez, the choice of Palestine as the guest country seeks raise awareness and promote international solidarity and, furthermore, reflects an ethical and cultural commitment to that nation.
Activities, workshops, and tributes to Venezuelan poetry
The festival program is packed with Poetry galas, commented readings, writing workshops for young people and adults, poetry and music recitals, and book presentations and academic forumsThere will be events in town squares, libraries, communities and schools, distributed to facilitate the interaction between poets and audiences.
One of the most anticipated nights will be the Palestine Night on July 15, where invited poets will share their vision and experience with attendees. The festival will also pay tribute to Belén Ojeda and will highlight the work of the recently deceased John Calzadilla, a key figure in contemporary Venezuelan poetry.
Participants and featured programming
Among the prominent international poets are Reshma Ramesh (India), AgustÃn Guambo (Ecuador), Ashur Etwebi (Libya), Sokhna Benga (Senegal), Huu Viet (Vietnam), Mohsen Rahjerdi (Iran), Carlos Aldazábal (Argentina), Laura Di Corcia (Switzerland/Italy), Valeriu Stancu (Romania), Aminur Rahman (Bangladesh), Saley Boubé (Niger) y Khalid Raissouni (Morocco). On the Venezuelan side, they participate Yuri Patiño, Ernesto Orozco, Esmeralda Torres, Antonio Trujillo and other prominent ones.
The schedule includes:
- Poetic galas at the Teresa Carreño Theater, from July 14 to 19.
- Palestine Night on July 15, dedicated to the invited delegation.
- Poetic-musical recitals in neighborhoods and communities of Caracas, from July 16 to 18.
- Tribute to Juan Calzadilla on July 20, as the closing of the festival.
- Visual poetry and creative writing workshops, aimed at young people and adults, taught by facilitators from Venezuela, Argentina, Colombia and Cuba.
- Book presentations and commented readings at the National House of Letters, bookstores and cultural centers.
- Academic discussions and forums on poetry, pedagogy of sensitivity and cultural decolonization.
Behind the organization and the legacy for youth
The festival is organized by Venezuelan cultural and educational institutions. Ana MarÃa Oviedo highlighted the role of involving young people through Juan Calzadilla National School, which promotes creativity and the preservation of literary heritage. Venezuelan youth It is seen as an engine of renewal, capable of combining traditions with digital and contemporary trends.
One of the main objectives is attract new audiences and promote active participation in poetry, highlighting the importance of words and culture in the face of current challenges and the defense of cultural diversity and one's own history.
This global festival, under the theme "Place of Permanence," highlights poetry as a tool for communication, awareness, and resilience in the face of present-day challenges. With poets from all continents and the participation of Venezuelan society, it reaffirms Venezuela's position as a cultural benchmark in the region and throughout Latin America.