Cultures of Resistance

"Hugs are better that murders, the triumph of poetry is better than war, beauty is superior to the monstrosity of the massacre among Colombians. It is better to dignify our existence than to die in resignation, to promise dialogue over panicked mutism, to face poetry than to face wild hatred, to move against war and terrorism from wherever it may come."
Fernando Rendón, Festival Director, in his opening address

The city of Medellín, in a verdant mountain valley in Colombia, was once known as one of the most violent cities in the world, and a global centre for the export of narcotics. It is now starting to be known as a leading exporter of socially engaged poetry, host to one of the largest international poetry festivals in the world.

For eight days in July of 2008, poets from over seventy different countries gave free poetry recitals in public parks, university theaters, prisons, schools and libraries in poor neighborhoods. The theme of this year's festival was: "For a peace more active than all wars." Over 5,000 citizens, young and old, attended the opening celebration packed in to a giant open-air municipal amphitheater. Founded in 1991 when the streets of Medellín were at there most precarious, the poetry fest was envisioned as a form of waging cultural resistance—a voice for peace and a protest against injustice and terrorism, including state terrorism, according to festival director Fernando Rendón. For their persistence and long-term vision, the festival was one of the recipients of a Right Livelihood Award last year, also known as "The Alternative Nobel Peace Prize."

"We call you to join in a patient and persistent poetic revolution, to freely and fearlessly express everyday your constructive thoughts, to lift your loving vision of a new life, to grow your dream of a sibling country and to share its belief of peace. Peace with social justice, peace with truth, peace with liberating energy, peace without armed figures, peace with full political agreement; unconditional peace, without ambiguities."
Fernando Rendón

Cultures of Resistance Was There
Beyond financial support for the festival, a Cultures of Resistance film crew was on hand to interview dozens of poets about war and peace, the roots of conflict around the world, and the creative spirit that drives their work. We will be showcasing some of these interviews on our website, and encourage you to learn more about the festival here:

http://www.festivaldepoesiademedellin.org/

Their website includes a video archive of poetry recitals from past festivals.