“The poet is a healer of this sick society; is a revolutionary that transforms suffering, loneliness and hurt into paper, brush and truth. For this reason, we write poetry, to repair our wounds.”

-Sonia Quintero.

The use of creative approaches to issues of reconciliation, dialogue and exploring ways of repairing our own wounds whilst taking a revolutionary stand against the heart of social injustice and human rights abuses are for many of us at the heart of what

we would like to achieve through our own activism and work. For the artist, poet and activist Sonia Quintero, these core beliefs are represented throughout her artistic and poetic endeavours, reflected by her inclusion in two events during March and April 2019 on the themes of refuge and diasporic communities. The first, "Artistic and creative strategies/methods in refugee projects," organised by UEL's Centre for Narrative Research and held at the University of East London's USS Campus in Stratford on Friday, 29th March, brought together a range of speakers to use artistic and creative methods to engage with refugee/migrant participants, and to help enable opportunities for the participants to creatively tell their stories about their past and present experiences, their journeys and their lives in the countries of settlement. Sonia's presentation on “Poetry creates bridges where people build walls" can provide opportunities to help validate diverse voices and establishes the foundation of a community, whilst how poetry as a creative practice helps to build up bridges between languages and borders.

The second event on Thursday 25th April, 2019, follows The truth, memory and reconciliation commission of Colombian women in the diaspora held the UK book launch for a new compilation of poetry reflecting on the experiences of Colombian women living in diasporic communities away from Colombia. The book, 'Poetic Memories of the Colombian Women in the Diaspora', has been designed as a tribute of women affected by the Colombian conflict and represents over five years for the truth, memory and reconciliation of Colombian women in the United Kingdom.

I hope the group has inspired many people not only to write poems but also create connections between them. I personally find inspiration from every single person in the group. Sometimes, when I see them write, talk and share, I feel so touched. The group is a great reflection of Newham’s different ages, backgrounds, languages, memories, stories...

Writing poetry in a new language. Sonia, you have published your poetry both in your native Spanish and in English, what has been your experience of writing in a new language and how has this influenced your poetry?

R: Writing in English has been such a weir experience. I still remember the first poem I wrote in English. I wrote it and looked the paper and I was so surprised, like... “wow this is me”, ... the other me. However, it has also been liberating and has helped me a lot with my confidence. It also made me questioning “who am I”, and the role of language in shaping my identity. It is a permanent inner-battle. I am still in that process where the “Spanish speaker poet” doesn’t want to recognise the “English speaker poet” ... emotions are difficult to express in other languages and there is sadness when one realises that words maybe will never be enough.

The poems in Words are Not Enough seem to reflect a very personal reflective journey for you? How would define the power of poetry within your experience?

R: Each poem in that book speaks about an experience or person in the poetry group.
The poems are my answer or reflection about something/someone in the group. All these experiences would be stuck in my breast if poetry wouldn’t help me to express them. Since these experiences occurred in an English setting, they come to me in English naturally, I didn’t translate them, they just emerged. These stories emerged from my life experiences in the UK, narrating how I dealt with them emotionally...I can’t imagine writing about it in Spanish. This is a part of me that belongs to this place, the poems belong here. This is where the power of this experience lies... the liberation of talking about something that in any other way would suffocate me.

Does the work of organisations like the Poetry Translation Centre offer opportunities for poets whose native language is not English to be published and have their voices heard?

R: Translating poetry is huge! We must not only have a good knowledge of the languages but also the sensitivity of a poet. I think what Poetry Translation Centre is doing is massive. Poetry is not only what western society knows about. Syrian poetry, American native communities’ poetry, Siberian, African poetry.... We all use words in different ways and the poetry translation centre gives us a closer view of the different perspectives.

In addition to all of this, you have been studying Psychosocial Theory and Practice at the University of East London and this has led to opportunities to engage with refugees and asylum seekers on the UEL OLIve course and create a University-based poetry group focusing on archival collections. How have you responded to these new opportunities?

R: To have the opportunity to lead a poetry session with the OLIve course has been one of the main highlights of my university experience. It is not only for the talent that people have, but being honoured to be able to hold a space for them. I have been touched from participants’ trust and open hearts.

I have the opportunity to learn a lot from both my tutors and the people I have been lucky enough to work with. Every session at OLIve makes me feel inspired to continue working for a better place for all. I want to touch as many hearts as I can. I don’t want to forget that there are still many things to improve in our society, many people who still need a hand to hold.

Does poetry have a role in supporting human rights and citizen rights both locally and internationally?

R: I wound not say that poetry has a role but poets do have one. It is the hand that holds the pen that can make a difference.
We all have a role in supporting human rights, not only a role but a responsibility. We need as many hands as we can ... poets, writers, journalists, nurses, farmers, teachers, community leaders, drivers, and so on... I express my support to human rights through poetry, by inspiring people to think for themselves, encouraging them to question society and empower them to build a better one. I want to think that we all are in the same boat when supporting human rights, the hands of the farmer are as important as the hands of a writer.

What advice would you give to young people who are interested in poetry and who may be inspired by your story and wish to follow your footsteps?

R: I would advise them to find and follow their passion. Our society pushes us towards being competitive with each other, consume more and more. We shouldn’t let competition and money drive us. Be creative, dream a better society for all, no for few, a society where we can all have the same rights, without distinction.

Thank you so much Sonia for such an amazing, thoughtful and reflective interview for Citizens’ Voices. For established and inspiring poets and anyone reading this who is interested in helping and supporting the work and activities of Newham Poetry Group’s work and activities, who should we contact?

R: Thanks. I am currently working on the next project, aiming to set up a “Poetry Cafe?” at Stratford park. We first need to refurnish the building in the middle of the park, it would be the first Poetry Cafe? at Newham, a place where everyone is welcome... poetry workshops, poetry reading, spoken word and open mic. The refurnishing of the place has been funded by Pocket Parks Plus and I am a stakeholder. So, I am now in the process of looking for human and financial support for the project.

If you want to know more about, please email me or follow us at:

www.soniaquintero.co.uk

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