Cascadia Poetry Festival 2024: A Celebration of Bioregional Literary Heritage

The Cascadia Poetry Festival, organized by the Cascadia Poetics Lab, is poised to bring together poets, academics, and literary enthusiasts from across the Cascadia bioregion and beyond. Scheduled for November 1-3, 2024, in Seattle, the festival serves as a vibrant platform for celebrating the region's poetic traditions and fostering cultural exchange. With venues including the Richard Hugo House and Seattle University, the event promises a rich program of workshops, panel discussions, and readings.

A cornerstone of this year's festival is the introduction of 'Cascadia Zen: Bioregional Writings on Cascadia Here and Now, Volume II'. This anthology, curated by Tetsuzen Jason Wirth, Paul E. Nelson, and Adelia MacWilliam, delves into the fusion of bioregionalism, Zen, and poetry, showcasing the works of diverse artists and writers. The festival's lineup features esteemed participants such as C.A. Conrad, Fred Wah, and Claudia Castro Luna, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage with the voices shaping contemporary poetry.

Highlighting the festival's commitment to inclusivity and cultural dialogue, the Floricanto Cascadia event will spotlight Indigenous American poets, emphasizing Mexican-American, Chicana/o, and Latinx poetry. Coinciding with Día de los Muertos, this gathering symbolizes a convergence of northern and southern traditions, aiming to promote peace and environmental healing through poetry.

Supported by a consortium of arts and cultural organizations, the Cascadia Poetry Festival underscores the vital role of poetry in connecting communities and preserving the ecological and cultural identity of the Cascadia bioregion. By bringing together a diverse array of voices, the festival not only celebrates the region's literary heritage but also addresses pressing global issues through the lens of poetry and bioregionalism.