The Struga Poetry Evenings have become part of the Versopolis platform, the unique European poetic platform supported by the European Union’s “Creative Europe” programme, which creates possibilities for the discovery of European poets.

There are remarkable young poets in Europe these days, writing in so many languages, but who often remain unknown beyond the realms of the language in which they write. The aim of Versopolis is to change that by creating a single platform, which will give a chance to young poets across Europe to gain international affirmation.

During 2014, 11 renowned European poetic festivals worked diligently for several months, trying to prepare the first and unique literary platform which is accepted and supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission. With the initial meeting of the partners in the frames of the platform, which took place on the 8^th and 9^th of December in Ljubljana, alongside the project-coordinator Beletrina Academic Press, which is also the organizer of the Festival of Poetry and Wine, the partners have arranged the all the remaining details. With that, the official function of the Versopolis platform has officially begun.

The Struga Poetry Evenings, alongside the other partners, by joining the network of Versopolis, will enable the discovery and promotion of young poets across the European space, and in that context Macedonian poets as well.

In the first year, Versopolis will promote the works of 55 poets, united under the motto “where poetry lives”, together with the 11 poetic festivals, which will have the role of literary promoters and publishers in the European literary space. The Versopolis platform incorporates the following literary/poetic festivals:

ARS POETICA, Slovakia;
Genoa International Poetry Festival, Italy;
ŮMEÅS INTERNATIONELLA LITTERATURFESTIVAL, Sweden;
INSTYTUT KULTURY MIEJSKIEJ (CITY CULTURE INSTITUTE), Poland;
LEDBURY POETRY FESTIVAL, Great Britain;
STRUŠKI VEČERI NA POEZIJATA (STRUGA POETRY EVENINGS), Macedonia;
POETINIS DRUSKININKŲ RUDUO (DRUSKININKAI POETIC FALL), Lithuania;
FELIX POETRY FESTIVAL, Belgium; GORANOVO PROLJEČE (GORAN’S SPRNG), Croatia;
LITERATURE & WINE FESTIVAL, Austria; DNEVI POEZIJE IN VINA (DAYS OF POETRY AND WINE), Slovenia.

Versopolis kick-off meeting in Ljubljana

Versopolis will help authors alreadyestablished in their home countries spread their poetry across borders, its first and foremost aim being to promote European poets and their work and to create a close-knit poetic community.

At the meeting, the members of the platform determined the final details before Versopolis sees the launch of its website in March 2015 and the first festival is presented to the public. The presentation and meeting were wrapped up with a literary evening for all attendees. Beletrina’s five chosen poets for the first year of the project each presented themselves and their work.

More about Versopolis

Poetry is a highly individualised expression of the human spirit that glorifies diversity and originality; it creates a bridge between individuals and communities. The European idea that is based on respect of individuality and at the same time strives for a quality coexistence of all individuals, should recognise in poetry a metaphor and sum of its efforts.

VERSOPOLIS is a Europe-wide poetry project of renowned literary festivals, exposing, connecting and bringing the finest poetry closer to audiences and through collaboration and mutual enrichment adding value and a sustainable vision of the initial European idea.

FOCUS

We wish to see that not only canonised and widely recognizable poets reach the consciousness of European literature lovers, but that the voices of younger generations that have yet to become established in the European area also gain their place. The selected authors will receive attention through performances and translations of their works on a digital platform.

CONNECT

The project includes renowned European literary festivals with an evident affinity towards poetry. Authors circulate between festivals, presenting themselves to poetry enthusiasts and professionals. Connecting functions in multiple ways: between the festivals, the authors, the authors and the public, and between the authors and publishers and editors.

BRING CLOSER

The project stems from the wish to address as broad as possible a European audience, bringing to its attention the highly individualised language of poetry and the specific national characteristics and backgrounds of guest authors. PR strategies that utilize contemporary and original approaches in communication wish to bring the language of poetry, which so often remains barricaded inside the ivory towers of academia, closer to the general public. The interactive platform will play an important role in this by including existing and new audiences.

CREATE

We follow opinions, visions and views on the broadest level; we focus on common European values, creating a new, integrated European poetic identity. Collaborations between participating partners jointly create an original perspective for poetry festivals to successfully collaborate in the future.