LYNNWOOD [Latino Herrald]—On Saturday, May 31, more than 200 people gathered at the Lynnwood Library for the Voces del Alma International Poetry Festival, a vibrant event celebrating art, tradition, and the Spanish language. Families enjoyed a day filled with live music, poetry, art, and delicious cuisine, all embraced warmly by the community.
At the heart of the festival was the much-anticipated launch of the new anthology Se escribe en español: A Poetic Anthology of Puget Sound. This collection is the result of a year-long poetry workshop that brought together poems written in Spanish by a diverse group of migrants and refugees who used poetic expression as a tool to strengthen their emotional well-being.
The event was organized by the WAGRO Foundation with the support of several organizations, creating a festive and family-friendly atmosphere. Activities were offered for all ages, alongside moments of reflection on the importance of literature and art in Spanish.
Music, Poetry, and Community Engagement
One of the highlights was the performance by the Northwest Orchestra, directed by Paula Nava Madrigal, which delivered a lively concert that captivated the audience with smiles and applause.
Marco Cortés, a music educator and storyteller, enchanted both children and adults with his sung stories, demonstrating the power of music and oral tradition to connect generations.
Renowned poet and workshop leader Blanca Vázquez engaged attendees with an interactive session emphasizing the contagious nature of reading: “Reading is learned by contagion. Reading is contagious.”
She also reflected on poetry’s value: “Poetry is the ugly duckling. People don’t want poetry because they think it’s only for highly educated individuals. Today, we know that’s not true. Poetry is for everyone.”
Launch of the Spanish-Language Poetry Anthology
During the festival, the anthology Se escribe en Español was officially presented. This collective work illustrates how poetic expression can contribute to emotional healing and strengthen cultural identity.
Maria Casey, from The Fat Brush Art Workshop, contributed to the event with artistic activities and beautiful decorations. Her workshops invited attendees, especially children, to explore creativity and multicultural learning through accessible and recycled art materials.
The festival also featured a panel of distinguished Latin American speakers, art activities for children, and an open mic session where attendees shared their own creations.
A Day to Remember
The success of the turnout, achieved through the efforts of Julieta Altamirano-Crosby and the WAGRO team, underscores the growing interest in spaces that celebrate cultural diversity and the use of Spanish in art.
This festival was made possible thanks to the support of:
- Sno-Isle Libraries
- Verdant Health Commission
- Instituto Cervantes
- Community Foundation of Snohomish County
- Northwest Orchestra
- The Fat Brush Art Workshop
- Coordinated Care
- Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest
- Los Gavilanes Mexican Store
- University of Washington’s Department of Hispanic and Portuguese Studies
How to Get Involved in Future Editions
Follow the social media channels of the WAGRO Foundation and the Lynnwood Library for announcements about upcoming activities and calls for participation. The next Voces del Alma Festival is already scheduled for May 30, 2026, at the University of Washington.
SOURCE: This article was authored by Marines Scaramazza of the Latino Herald, an independent media outlet, owned by 76 Media LLC, based in Washington State.
