Viva Fall River, in Collaboration with Newport Poetry, the City of Fall River, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Present the First Annual “POESIA: Fall River Portuguese Poetry Festival.”
Saturday, April 27, 2024
10:00am – 3:30pm
Gates of the City | Heritage State Park | Visitors Center
Please join us for A Celebration of Portuguese Poetry, Culture, and Fall River Poets as we honor the significant contributions made throughout history to local, national, and international arts and culture. This event opens with a Poetry Walk, meeting at the Gates of Fall River and our Sister City Ponta Delgada, Portugal. We will then proceed to The Monument of Poet João Teixeira de Medeiros at Heritage State Park. And, finally we will meet at the Heritage State Park Visitors Center, just steps away, for a Poetry Reading, a Bilingual Reading of Select Major Portuguese Poets, and a reading of award-winning poems from the Middle and High School Poetry Contest.
This event is free and open to the public.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
- Space is limited. We respectfully ask that you cancel your reservation if you reserve space and cannot attend.
- Parking available on Ponta Delgada Boulevard & at Heritage State Park (lots at 200 Davol St. and 5 Water St.)
- In the event of inclement weather, all activities will take place at the Heritage State Park Visitors Center. Attendees will be notified in advance of any change in venue.
Event Program
For the detailed program, please click here. For a synopsis, read below.
Poetry Walk 10AM-11:30AM
10a.m. | First Location | Gates of the City (both the City of Fall River, MA and our Sister City Ponta Delgada, Portugal) | Ponta Delgada Blvd, Fall River
Professor Odete Amarelo and Professor Carlos Almeida will lead discussions on the significance of this important sister city relationship, and the Portuguese Diaspora. A poem by Al Rocheleau, a poet born and raised in Fall River, entitled “Streets of Fall River” will be read. We will walk to the second location (0.7 miles).
11a.m. | Second Location | The Monument of Poet João Teixeira de Medeiros | Heritage State Park, Fall River
Professor Onésimo T. Almeida, Brown University, born in S. Miguel, Azores, will talk about his inspiration for bringing the community of Fall River together to fund this monument to Portuguese American Fall River Poet João Teixeira de Medeiros, which was installed in 2001. A reading João Teixeira de Medeiros’ poems will follow. We will then move to our next and final location, the Heritage State Park Visitor Center, just steps away.
Poetry Readings, Opening and Closing Receptions 11:30AM-3:30PM
11:45a.m.-3:30p.m. | Third Location | Heritage State Park Visitor Center | 5 Water Street, Fall River
- Opening Reception
- Poetry Reading: Award-winning Luso-American poet Scott Edward Anderson will open the Poetry Reading. To learn more about Scott, please go to: scottedwardanderson.com and on various social media platforms @greenskeptic
- A presentation of select major Portuguese poets throughout history, including Luis Vaz de Camões and Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen.
- Winners of the T(w)een Poetry Contest held for Fall River students in Grade 6-12 will read their poems.
- Closing Reception
- João Silva will play the Viola da Terra and the Classical Guitar during the Opening and Closing Receptions.
Participant Biographies
