Medellin International Poetry Festival

Festival Internacional de Poesia de Medellin

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Arts & CultureMedellín
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsThe festival's defining feature is where it
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: COP
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Medellin International Poetry Festival in Medellín

Medellin International Poetry Festival is a ten-day program of public poetry readings held each July across Medellin's parks, libraries, schools and neighborhoods, founded in 1991 as a deliberate act of cultural resistance during the city's most violent period. Over three decades it has hosted more than 1,900 poets from over 190 countries and won the Right Livelihood Award in 2006.

Medellin International Poetry Festival was founded in 1991 by thirteen people connected to the literary magazine Prometeo, at a moment when the city was living through some of the worst violence in its history, and the festival was conceived from the start as a deliberate act of cultural resistance rather than a conventional literary showcase.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's defining feature is where it happens: rather than concentrating readings in university auditoriums or literary festival circuits, organizers deliberately spread events across ordinary neighborhoods, parks and residential streets throughout Medellin, treating public poetry readings as an act of civic peacebuilding rather than entertainment

02

The mystery stays covered

It was founded in 1991 specifically in response to the city's armed conflict, by thirteen people connected to the magazine Prometeo, and that founding purpose is still central to how it operates

03

The city starts moving

Winning the Right Livelihood Award in 2006 formally recognized the festival as a peace initiative rather than only a literary one, a distinction few poetry festivals anywhere else can claim

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Medellin International Poetry Festival is documented as a recurring arts-culture festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to Medellín, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

The festival's defining feature is where it happens: rather than concentrating readings in university auditoriums or literary festival circuits...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable clothing works everywhere, since venues range from open parks to modest community halls rather than formal theaters. Comfortable walking shoes matter more than any...

Safety

Medellin International Poetry Festival is easier with a small bag, charged phone and group plan that survives poor signal.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Medellin you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

COP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map6.25 N, 75.57 WOpen in Google Maps

Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

Nearest airportMDE — Jose Maria Córdova
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Medellin you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Medellín via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Medellín, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, comfortable clothing works everywhere, since venues range from open parks to modest community halls rather than formal theaters. Comfortable walking shoes matter more than any particular style, given that sessions are spread across many neighborhoods rather than one fixed site.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Colombia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Medellin International Poetry Festival?

Medellin International Poetry Festival is listed for July. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Medellin International Poetry Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Medellín, Colombia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLfestivaldepoesiademedellin.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
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