On March 21st each year, the world celebrates World Poetry Day, an initiative established by UNESCO at the turn of the millennium. This day is dedicated to honouring poetry as a vital form of cultural and linguistic expression, a cornerstone of human identity. It serves to raise awareness of the importance of linguistic diversity, highlight endangered languages, and, of course, to champion the work of poets worldwide.
This year, we’re turning our attention to a local voice, a seasoned reporter who also happens to be our resident poet. Aurora Vélez, a senior reporter, dedicates her time to uncovering stories about ‘Smart Regions’ and innovative European projects aimed at improving quality of life. Yet, when she’s not travelling the continent, her passion for poetry takes centre stage.
Vélez is an accomplished poet, with four collections published in Spanish. Her recent bilingual Spanish-French work, “Errante,” delves into both personal and universal themes, championing a living, borderless poetry that actively engages with the world. She is also an active member of the collective ‘Voix de l’extrême’, which fosters poetry that transcends linguistic and geographical boundaries. For Vélez, poetry is far more than a casual hobby; it’s a profound passion that offers deep solace and strength in her everyday life.
The Genesis of a Poet
Hailing from Bilbao in northern Spain, Vélez’s early encounters with poetry were shaped by her great-uncle, who would enchant his family with recitations of stories and poems. “That is how poetry entered my life, when I was a child, through his voice,” she recalls.
Beyond her great-uncle’s influence, two Spanish poets played a significant role in her development: Ramiro Pinilla, under whom she attended a writing workshop, and Gloria Fuertes, a celebrated figure in 20th-century Spanish literature. Participation in Pinilla’s weekly workshops proved instrumental, leading to the publication of her first poetry collection at the young age of 20. These formative experiences instilled in her a daily writing practice in both Spanish and French, a discipline she has diligently maintained.
Poetry’s Modern Resurgence
“Poetry has become fashionable again, and I am glad,” Vélez remarks, observing a notable surge in interest among young people following the COVID-19 pandemic. She notes that poetry’s reach has expanded beyond traditional print, with younger generations increasingly engaging with it through music and visual media.
Vélez believes poetry is undergoing a transformation, shedding established traditions and classic conventions. This willingness to break free from rigid structures, she suggests, is fostering greater expressiveness and leading to increased freedom and acceptance among new generations.
“Poetry is young: it is rap, it is on TikTok and Instagram,” she explains. “I, too, draw inspiration from this. If I have time during filming, I record myself reading some of my favourite living poets in several languages.”
Navigating the AI Frontier
The burgeoning presence of Artificial Intelligence presents a new frontier for many artistic disciplines. While some artists express concern about AI’s potential impact on creative expression, Vélez approaches the subject with a sense of intrigue rather than fear or excitement. “Artificial intelligence is devoid of emotional consciousness,” she muses. “It knows nothing of love, loss, grief… of the experiences that nourish our existence. Can it venture into them?”
For Vélez, poetry is intrinsically linked to the human experience, and engaging with it cultivates a deeper awareness of various forms of consciousness. “It connects with the deepest human substratum, with the most profound part of the unnamed self.” She likens poetry to music, rhythm, and colour, describing it as a form of mental stimulation. “If they connect with the reader’s emotions, are they poetry? I suppose they are. I observe the progress, but I still think that poetry is deeply linked to the human condition.”
The Enduring Power of Language
World Poetry Day champions the promotion of diverse languages, with a particular focus on those at risk of extinction – a cause close to Vélez’s heart. A fluent practitioner of Spanish and French, she has recently expanded her linguistic repertoire to include English and Italian, and she has a particular fondness for poetry that blends multiple languages.
Vélez also underscores the critical role of oral traditions in language preservation, especially for endangered languages. She highlights that sharing poetry through word of mouth is vital for safeguarding linguistic heritage and traditional cultures for posterity.
“In these times of disbelief, horror, and dystopia, literature, and poetry in particular, is more necessary than ever,” Vélez asserts. “If you have something to say and write a poem, don’t just keep it to yourself, offer it to the world.”
On this World Poetry Day, Vélez encourages everyone to consider this an opportune moment to begin capturing their thoughts and feelings about life and the world around them. She urges aspiring poets to take the plunge, regardless of their chosen medium, be it a simple piece of paper or a smartphone.
“No one is judging you,” she reassures. “And you will see: one day what you write will almost not feel as if you are the one writing it, because you will be connected to something else.”
