Ukrainian writer Lyubov Yakymchuk took part in Poetry International Rotterdam in the Netherlands, one of the most prestigious poetry festivals in the world. She read her poem I have a crisis for you, which attempts to explain how calling war a ‘crisis’ conceals a crime.
‘Similarly, for example, the word 'evacuation' is used by Russians to mask the deportation and abduction of Ukrainian children,’ the poet emphasised.
The Ukrainian Institute writes about this on its Facebook page.
The festival brought together renowned poets from various countries, including the United Kingdom, Haiti, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United States, Belgium, Jamaica, and others. Luba Yakymchuk took part in readings, panel discussions and presentations, during which she introduced the audience to contemporary Ukrainian poetry.
"The dance performance at the opening of Poetry International set a very emotional tone for the entire evening. It was particularly moving to see poets from all over the world performing their poems — it created a sense of a living, common language of poetry," the participant shared her impressions. Her performance was made possible thanks to the support of the festival and the Ukrainian Institute in the Netherlands.
Poetry International Festival Rotterdam, which is celebrating its 55th edition this year, has been held annually in Rotterdam since 1970 and brings together leading poets from around the world, offering the public multilingual readings, discussions, performances, translation workshops and interdisciplinary events. This year, the festival took place on 12–15 June. Lyuba Yakymchuk also joined the residency as part of the event.