Tenerife’s San Juan de la Rambla Hosts Mazapé International Poetry Festival
The town of San Juan de la Rambla in Tenerife is hosting the Mazapé International Poetry Festival from November 5 to 8, featuring a diverse program of readings, performances, and social commentary that highlights the role of rural communities in fostering creative expression.
Rural Spain is becoming a hub for creative energy, and this week, the town of San Juan de la Rambla in Tenerife is proving exactly why. From November 5 to 8, the town is hosting the Mazapé International Poetry Festival, which was originally scheduled for last March.
Named after a local landmark rich in history and archaeology, the festival goes far beyond traditional poetry readings. It aims to bridge the gap between the natural landscape and modern art. The Casa de los Pérez Library will host a variety of events, featuring photography by Luz Sosa Contreras, music by José Artiles, and performances by the vocal group Irremediables, alongside discussions on the work of Pedro García Cabrera.
The festival is defined by its mix of styles. The program features conversations with writers like Mario Obrero, Miriam Reyes, Rafael-José Díaz, and Corina Oprae. It also includes family-friendly sessions led by Sara González and María Kapitán, using creative formats like "poetic pills" to make poetry accessible to everyone.
The event also carries a strong social message. A highlight is the recital To Hear the Birds, the Bombings Must Cease, which uses poetry to speak out against modern conflicts. By hosting this festival, San Juan de la Rambla is not only celebrating its local identity but also showing that smaller, remote communities are often the best places for fresh ideas and critical thinking. The festival concludes this Sunday, reinforcing the idea that poetry is an essential tool for understanding the world around us.