Going to Colombia...

Talofa all

I have been invited to represent both Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa at the 35^th International Medellin Festival of Poetry in Colombia - which I am thrilled about!!! I have been sitting wistfully like a girl at a 1950’s dance waiting (for 24 years!) to be invited. Well, that’s not entirely true, I did an online reading for the festival during Covid.

I first heard about Medellin from the late Teresia Teaiwa, who represented Aotearoa and Kiribati in 2001. (This was also the last time a Pacific poet has represented at this festival) .

Teresia had just returned from Medellin and sung its praises, not just as an an amazing poetry festival, but a festival that concentrates on the role of poetry in social justice and human rights.

As the festival says: “It is a spiritual process for the transformation of the collective conscience and the qualification of culture. With a trajectory of 30 years, it has made significant contributions to the construction of peace and national reconciliation and for exercising cultural and fundamental human rights”.

In 34 years this festival has brought together 1900 poets from 193 countries. This year 60 poets from 45 countries will gather together in Medellin.

The theme this year is: ‘“Life will emerge liberated from Iron”, invoking the inclusive and reconciling language of poetry in the midst of this stormy time that requires the urgent reconstruction of the human spirit”.

Many of you will know I’ve had a couple of years of trying to liberate myself from the ‘iron’ shackles of ACT’s attempts to get me to shut my big fat poetic mouth. To be in the company of other poets from around the world – who face similar and much, much worse treatment for their poetry – is incredible for me. There are poets from Palestine to Iraq to Uzbekistan to Nigeria; from every continent and ocean.

A poet’s life is a weird one. It’s a very solo thing to do and for writers who love their own company it must be the dream job. But for me, well, I get lonely in about 20 minutes lol. I am a very social creature and I’m constantly looking for ways to be around other humans.

Medellin is a dream come true for me. I look forward to being able to commune with my brother/ sister/ sibling poets from around the world. I know it will benefit my work and my life and what I am able to bring back and contribute to poetry and political poetry here in Aotearoa.

In this time of political right-wing take over, of our governments here and globally, the dissenting voice of the poet is crucial.

Medellin hits the nails on the head: “writers are the expression of the nationality and a critical thermometer of any culture”.

And this is the bit where I ask for something. If you would like to contribute to this Boosted X Moana fund to help get me to Medellin, that would be amazing! Boosted X Moana match every dollar raised, IF (and only if) we can make it to $3K.

Boosted X Moana

If you’re not in the position to donate - and there are so many of us who don’t have a spare dollar these days - all good; know that I really appreciate all the moral support you have shown me over the last year.

Medellin will be live streaming the sessions here: https://www.festivaldepoesiademedellin.org/en/

Come join us 5 to 12 July.

Alofa to you all