Barcelona Poesia, the city's annual poetry festival, returns from 14 to 21 May, bringing a diverse range of poetic voices and performances to venues across the city. This year's edition champions the diversity of poetic perspective, according to Barcelona City Council.
The festival programme includes recitals, literary routes, musical and theatrical performances, talks, and round tables. It features prominent voices such as Carles Rebassa, Dolors Miquel, Francesc Parcerisas, Biel Mesquida, Emma Vilarasau, Josep Maria Flotats, and Marta Pessarrodona. Additionally, the festival will pay tribute to significant figures in Catalan literature, including Blai Bonet, Clementina Arderiu, and Joan Alcover.
Festival Highlights and Venues
A strong musical component enhances the festival, with performances from artists like Ferran Palau, Marina Rossell, Guillem Ramisa, Ferran Isern, Mariona Segarra, Eduard Iniesta, and David Alegret. Key venues for the festival include the orchard of the Marès Museum and the Born. Barcelona History Museum. New locations joining this year's events are the gardens of the Muñoz Ramonet Foundation, the Barcelona Athenaeum, Montaner Palace, the Brossa Foundation, the Tàpies Museum, and the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB).
On Monday, 18 May, at 18:00, the Barcelona Floral Games Poetry Prize will be awarded to poet Martí Sales i Sariola for his collection Descripció del món. This ceremony takes place in the historic Saló de Cent, located within the Barcelona City Council building. The festival's programming ends with the 41st International Poetry Festival on 21 May at 20:00, held at the iconic Palau de la Música Catalana.
Curatorial Vision and Collaborations
Poets Manuel Forcano and Anna Gual, who joins as a new co-curator, designed this year's edition of Barcelona Poesia. They aim to incorporate multiple perspectives, reflecting the many poems and poets involved. The festival's theme references the eye of Mallorcan poet Blai Bonet, featured on the event poster. The programme includes diverse styles, origins, genres, and ages.
Barcelona Poesia 2026 has been developed through collaborations with various entities. These include Barcelona Libraries, the Goethe Institut, the Italian Institute of Culture, the French Institute, the Ramon Llull Institute, the EUNIC cluster, Elizalde House, the Brossa Foundation, the CaixaFòrum Foundation, and La Pedrera (Casa Milà). These partnerships help bring poetry to a wider audience across the city, enriching Barcelona's cultural life for residents and visitors alike.
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Originally published by Barcelona City Council Press Room. Read original article.
