(Re-)Locating Prestige: Poetry Readings, Poetry Slams, and Poetry Jam Sessions in Contemporary Spain. (2nd November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cullell, Diana
• Is Part Of: Hispanic research journal. Volume 16:Number 6(2015)
• Page Start: 545
• Page End: 559
• Publication Date: 2015-11-02
• Subjects: performance poetry -- poetry slams -- jam poetry sessions -- prestige -- Spanish poetry; perfopoesía -- slams poéticos -- jam poetry sessions -- prestigio -- poesía española; Language and culture -- Spanish-speaking countries -- Periodicals; Language and culture -- Portuguese-speaking countries -- Periodicals; Spanish philology -- Periodicals; Portuguese philology -- Periodicals; Spain -- Civilization -- Periodicals; Portugal -- Civilization -- Periodicals; Latin America -- Civilization -- Periodicals; 909.097561
• DOI: Http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14682737.2015.1129837
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-2737

Abstract

Abstract : Spanish contemporary poetry is enjoying extraordinary vitality. One of its more noteworthy manifestations is witnessed in poetry recitals, poetry slams, and jam poetry sessions. These events — performed in alternative venues outside official or prestigious literary circles such as cafés, bars, or clubs — take place without any form of support from official cultural institutions but manage to attract a high number of poets and audience members. Their great popularity signals a key feature in Spanish literary circles: a new and non-traditional generation of literary consumers — and producers — has emerged. This article analyses said cultural shift: the new spaces poetry has infiltrated, and scholars' reluctance to adapt their concept of poetry to meet these recent developments. Performance poetry generates a great traffic of ideas and cultural exchanges, and this article explores its cultural value and calls for a redistribution and relocation of prestige within new economies of aesthetic value that can legitimize this poetry as a worthy form of cultural production.