the present tense

Last week, I had the chance to attend a poetry recital organized by CreArte Latino. The event was not just a celebration of Valentine’s Day, but also a tribute to the power of words, showing the special connection that happens when someone shares their voice on stage. The goal was to honor words as a way to express emotions, feelings, and passions, and to keep alive the tradition of coming together to listen to others recite, rhyme, and share their deepest thoughts.

The recital featured live music, adding to the atmosphere where poetry mixed with melodies, showing that words are not only spoken but can also be sung, felt, and experienced as a shared act. The combination of poetry and music was a true celebration of words as an art form, bringing us together and moving us deeply.

The event took place at Bookstore1, a cozy bookstore in downtown Sarasota, which made it the perfect setting for this evening of poetry. Throughout the night, we heard both original poems and classic ones, taking the audience on a journey through words that touched our hearts and made us reflect on the beauty and power of poetry.

The participants included artists from different parts of Latin America, which added a variety of voices and styles to the evening. Among them were Venezuelan performer and actress Aura Cecilia Colmenares, Colombian poet Claudia Lozano, actor and poet Rafael Peláez, Juan Peláez and Javier Sánchez Rueda. Each one brought their unique view of the world through their poems, creating a memorable experience for all who attended.

The event was organized by Juan Pablo Salas and Elvira Sánchez Blake, who, through CreArte Latino, continue to promote art and culture within the Hispanic community in Sarasota. CreArte Latino has been bringing artists together for years, offering a space for the Spanish-speaking community to express themselves through the arts and strengthening connections between different groups in this vibrant city.

This recital was another great example of how the arts, especially poetry, can bring cultures together, helping us connect and reminding us of what unites us. It was an event where we celebrated not just the written word, but also the voice, the gestures, and the shared spirit.