The word is the best weapon
"Because the only people that interest me are the people who are crazy, the people who are crazy to live, crazy to talk, crazy to save themselves, wanting everything at the same time...". With these lines of on the road of Jack Kerouac recited loudly through the streets of Vigo and to the blast of a megaphone, the festival that now bears the name of the writer was born seven years ago beat . This is how ** Kerouac ** saw the light in Vigo , with "an authentic poetic manifestation", as defined by Vanessa Alvarez , graphic artist and one of Kerouac's organizers.
Vanesa tells us that Vigo “It has a very powerful poetic scene and on board the poetic (fusion of the word 'poetry' and 'mobile' in Galician), this festival helps to amplify that scene, loudspeaker in hand and as electoral propaganda. It is the 'poetic propaganda' of Kerouac , which recites poetry live from the vehicle itself.
“We practice a accessible, fun, exciting, vindictive, guerrilla poetry , democratic, close and appetizing; We always mix poetry with music, images and more performative resources, in such a way that the public is surprised not to find a usual recital and, thanks to that, repeats and is more interested in the verses”, says Vanesa.
In addition to the poemóbil, the city lives days of flash mobs (like the one that will invade the Calle del Príncipe on Saturday at 9:00 p.m. .), of boat trips to the other side of the **Ría (to Cangas)** that will be filled with poetry (#poetryonboard), of poems written in the windows of local shops and also of a wall of tiles with verses from 70 writers and writers (in the london street ) .
Among them, stand out international names (and headliners) such as Sheri-D. Wilson, Canadian activist and poet, and Lisa Markusson , New York poet endorsed by ** Bowery Poetry .** There will also be a International Poetic Translation event coordinated by Yolanda Castano in which they will participate Francesca Cricelli (Brazil) , Rita Dal (Finland) , Hu Xudong (Chinese) and Tomica Bajsic (Croatia) among other national artists. Vanesa highlights the presence of women “as creators, not as muse” in a festival whose poster is headed by three women (in addition to Wilson and Markuson, Vigo will be able to enjoy the performances of Marina Oroza ) .
Added to all this is a large local line-up: "We have a great scene in Vigo, and at this Festival we will have Francisco Fernández Naval, Cynthia Menéndez, Lupita Hard, Meraquia, Alberto Bernedo, Miguel Ángel Alonso, Ruth Oliveira, Jack Varmen, Xan Solo, Compostela, Helen Bertels, Lover of Love, Mr. Vudú, Iria Bragado, André de Oliveira, Teatro del Palo, Wordnoise, Gunpowder, Kedro and Jesús Quereizaeta ”, informs Vanessa.
All of them are part of Kerouac's poetic guerrilla, "a authentic poetic invasion that, we hope, the city feels strong”, says Vanesa. And more so at this time when there are still sources of fire in rural Pontevedra. Thus, this week will be revealed poetic actions in defense of our forests and of that green that will bloom as much or more than Kerouac's poetry (pay attention to his Twitter and Facebook to find out what will be organized and when).
KEROUAC SNEAKERS INTO THE CLASSROOMS
“Poetry is necessary, it is basic for life; it is another understanding, it is expressing, it is culture, it is sensitivity. For us, poetry can change the world and that is why it is so necessary in education from a young age”, reflects Vanesa. That is why one of the basic pillars of the festival focuses on invade the city institutes : “from the most classic poetry to hip hop, we try to bring very young poets who, deep down, are only a couple of years older than them”, concludes the organizer.
FOR THE LITTLE ONES
The saturday october 21 free workshop organized 'Let's make poetry' in the ** MARCO ** (Museum of Contemporary Art of Vigo), by the hand of the poet Miguel Angel Alonso Diz . Vanesa explains that "based on images, puns and poems, the size aims to bring poetry closer, stimulate its reading and encourage poetic creation in a fun way."
POETIC VERMOUTH TO CLOSE THE FESTIVAL
If we like something in Traveler.es it is a good vermouth; If we are passionate about Galicia, it is its ability to meet in front of a table or bar and celebrate life. And this, precisely, becomes an essential part of the festival, as demonstrated by the poetic vermouth , the end point of the perfect festival.
“In the poetic vermouth poetry is mixed with gastronomy, the social and fun; is to make this discipline a party , take it out of context and put it one meter away from you while you enjoy a vermouth on Sunday at noon; In addition, a very strong bond is created between the artist and the spectator, as it is a close act”, comments Vanesa. The vermouth will be held in the space of Progreso 41 on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Poetic action in the space of Progreso 41
THE POETRY BOOK OF THE FESTIVAL: LATEXO BEAT
This year, anyone can get a piece of the festival. This is the poetry book. Latex Beat (in collaboration with the editorial galaxy ) that brings together the verses of the poets who have passed through the Kerouac Festival in the previous six years: “65 voices, in Galician, Castilian, English and Portuguese, telling us about feelings, claim, social awareness, feminism and, of course, love ”, defines Vanessa. Now available on the publisher's website and in all bookshops in Galicia.
VIGO – NEW YORK CONNECTION
For two years Kerouac has crossed the ocean to settle in New York. This year, he will happen again: it will be in early april and follows the same format as in Vigo, with actions in the street and various venues, as Vanesa Álvarez explains: “we have the Instituto Cervantes NY, Casa Galicia and the American institution Bowery Poetry Club ; We hope that each year it continues to grow and we have more means and support to invade not only Vigo, but also New York with poetry, creating a bridge between the two cities. Exciting, right? ”
declaiming