Festival in Berlin: Terrance Hayes Sheds Light in Poetry Event
In the heart of Europe, Poesiefestival Berlin, Europe's largest poetry festival, continues to shine as a beacon for literary artistry. This year, the festival welcomed Terrance Hayes, a celebrated American poet, as one of its featured guests for the 25th edition.
Held at the silent green Kulturquartier in Wedding, the festival has been inviting poets from around the globe to lecture or perform since 2000. This year, Terrance Hayes was one of 149 artists involved in Poesiefestival's 18-day programme.
Terrance Hayes' performance at the festival was titled with a hesitant optimism, a fitting title for an event that would leave audiences entranced. His reading of his poem George Floyd was accompanied by a moment of silence and applause from the diverse audience, a mix of Germans and non-Germans.
The audience was captivated by Hayes' mesmerizing, funny, and charismatic speaking style, and his emotionally moving and clever writing. One fan, who recognized Hayes as a professor at the university where they were an undergraduate, was particularly moved. Hayes took a moment to thank them, adding a personal touch to the event.
Hayes' performance style varies from poem to poem, ranging from booming sermons to apologies or prayers. His National Book Award-winning collection, Lighthead, published in 2010, showcases this versatility. His poems are known for their emotional impact and lines that stay in the mind like memories. His latest poetry volume, So to Speak, was released in 2023, simultaneously with the essay collection Watch Your Language.
Poesiefestival Berlin, a project from Kulturbrauerei's Haus für Poesie, centers on promoting poetry in multiple languages and formats, fostering cross-cultural exchange through poetic art, and providing a platform for innovative and established poets alike from Europe and beyond. This aligns with the festival's reputation for featuring a broad array of poetic forms including digital poetry, spoken word, and traditional readings.
Notable events and highlights of the festival include featuring performances from poets whose work spans various languages and artistic disciplines, such as digital poetry exhibited at museums. The festival also collaborates and participates with internationally acclaimed poets and artists, linking Poesiefestival Berlin with other important poetry and art events like Barcelona Poesia and the Toronto Biennial of Art.
As the festival continues, it serves as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to bring people together, transcend borders, and create lasting connections. With poets like Terrance Hayes gracing its stages, Poesiefestival Berlin remains a vital and dynamic force in the European poetry scene.
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