One of America’s most influential living poets is set to visit Ibiza this week as Bob Holman joins the second edition of Poetiuses Festival, bringing his unmistakable blend of spoken word, music and performance to the island.
Taking place from 30 July to 2 August, the festival returns with its mission of reconnecting Ibiza with its artistic and literary roots, creating cultural bridges between the island and creative communities around the world. Following last year’s successful debut, which linked Ibiza and New York through a programme of poetry readings, DJ sets and live music, Poetiuses is back with an expanded schedule and a diverse international line-up.
A towering figure in contemporary American poetry, Holman has spent more than five decades pushing the boundaries of spoken word performance. He directed New York’s legendary Nuyorican Poets Café throughout the 1980s and 1990s, founded the Bowery Poetry Club in 2002 and previously coordinated the renowned Poetry Project during the 1970s. A contemporary of Beat and counterculture icons including Allen Ginsberg, Anne Waldman, John Giorno and Pedro Pietri, Holman helped shape the evolution of slam poetry long before it became a global phenomenon.
Now aged 78, he remains an electrifying performer, combining poetry with live music, visuals and theatrical performance while continuing to champion endangered and minority languages around the world. His appearances in Europe have become increasingly rare, making his visit to Ibiza a special opportunity for audiences to experience one of the defining voices of modern American poetry.
Organised by Sons Vigroove and Culture Lovers, Poetiuses was created to celebrate a more creative and contemplative side of Ibiza, moving beyond the island’s nightlife reputation to highlight its long-standing connections with artists, writers and musicians. The event aims to foster meaningful cultural exchange by connecting Ibiza with other island communities through the universal language of art, with events taking place in some of its most emblematic locations.
This year’s programme also features British musician Paul Deaves, Galician artist Vanesa Álvarez, Menorcan poet Damià Rotger, Mallorcan poet Annalisa Marí and Ibizan poet Iolanda Bonet, alongside additional performances and collaborations.
Events will take place across several venues including Space Eat & Dance, JazzTa Bé, and the Mercado de Sant Joan, offering audiences an intimate opportunity to experience poetry, music and performance in some of the island’s most inspiring settings.
As Poetiuses grows in both scale and ambition, it continues to establish itself as one of Ibiza’s most distinctive cultural festivals, reminding visitors and residents alike that the island’s creative spirit extends far beyond the dancefloor.
For further information follow @poetiuses on Instagram.
