Our branch campus in Guayaquil held the XVI International “Ileana Espinel Cedeño” Poetry Festival, which was organized by the communication undergraduate program. During five days, the city became the epicenter of poetry and brought together 80 talented poets from the region. 

Raul Vallejo, a poet, said “it is great to have an academic institution like UPS that provides a space for poetry and literacy and enables us to disseminate culture and experiences.”

High schools from the city (Domingo Savio, Santo Domingo Guzmán, Academia Naval Guayaquil, Colegio República de Francia, Asunción and Colegio Jacarandá) took part in a short story contest. “Writing is one of my passions, since I started reading, I felt that books and letters were part of my life, this is how I can travel to other parts of the world by just opening the pages of a book” , said the winner of the contest, Zara Villacís.

 
There was a wide range of poetic styles during the festival, from classical poetry to more contemporary and experimental forms. Participants had the opportunity to explore relevant topics such as identity, social justice, nature and collective memory, creating a diverse and enriching dialogue.

The event not only celebrated poetry, it also supported and encouraged the participation of young talents, demonstrating that art and literature are fundamental pillars for the cultural development of society, poetry became a bridge that connected people from different cultures and perspectives.