Struga, 22 August 2024 (MIA) - Poetry is a way of life, a way of being, that we should all aspire to. Towards freedom, fraternity, a goal for us all, said this year's winner of the "Golden Wreath" award at the 63rd edition of the "Struga Poetry Evenings" festival, French poet Jean-Pierre Siméon.

At a press conference on Thursday, Jean-Pierre expressed satisfaction of being a part of such a famous and prestigious international event and to be counted among the great poets of the Struga Poetry Evenings festival.

"It is a great honor and responsibility for me because I'm not only talking about my poetry and life, but also about the importance of poetry in our lives, the collective lives of society," the poet said.

According to him, the goal of his poetry is to show everyone that poetry must be of interest to all of us because it does not consist only of poems.

"In this materialistic world in which we live it is extremely difficult to defend ourselves. I would say that poetry is a form of residence, of the domination of power and of all the bad habits in the world today. I believe that poetry, today, can help manifest human qualities. It is an essential and vital need that we must have like never before. A way to say 'no,' and stand up to harmful values imposed on us," Jean-Pierre stressed.

He also discussed his book "Poetry Will Save the World" and his beliefs.

"Not the songs, nor the poet. We are truly famous, but what does poetry mean, what can it show us? That is what's going to save the world. It's a way of rejecting influence, the dominant influence. Poetry is a way of life, existence in harmony with nature, in harmony with brotherhood, and human values," the poet noted.

Within the frameworks of the festival, a tree sapling was planted at the Poetry Park in honor of the laureate, followed by a poetry reading.

The opening ceremony, taking place tonight, will be held at the "Miladinov Brothers" culture center with a reading of Konstantin Miladinov's poem “Longing for the South” and the lighting of the festival fire, and will continue with traditional poetry reading "Meridians." ssh/ik/

Photo: MIA