Hay Festival Querétaro 2023 – Poetry

Two language custodians will talk about how their work allows them to care for, celebrate and preserve their language. Mardonio Carballo in poetry, journalism and activism in his indigenous language; and Jemima Peláez through her role as an out-of-the-ordinary librarian.

Elvira Sastre has managed to achieve the improbable: bring poetry to thousands of young people. Using a familiar approach and subject matter that is relevant to their lives, she has connected with various generations of readers, keeping alive the spark of literary sensitivity.

Hay Festival Constellations creates a space for intergenerational dialogue within the Mexican cultural scene, in fields such as literature, film, music, science and architecture. At this event, Mardonio Carballo and Alejandra Sasil Sánchez Chan will talk to Rafael Volta about the power and value of poetry: or when language is a weapon that can fight for existing and resisting.

Thousands of people have come to poetry thanks to the warmth of Elvira Sastre. With poetry books such as Baluarte and Aquella orilla nuestra —in addition to the novel Las vulnerabilidades— she has made poetry an everyday form of expression for a generation of readers. Here, the Spanish author will speak to Laura García, and offer the audience a poetic reading.

Poets from the 2025 Hay Festival Queretaro programme will offer public readings of some of their verses. With Bibiana Collado, Elisa Díaz Castelo, Julián Herbert, Ángeles Romero, Alejandra Sasil Sánchez Chan y Rafael Volta. Presented by Emilia Pesqueira.