Nicaraguan Staff and Dignitaries for the

21^st World Congress of Poets held in

Managua, Leon and Diriamba, Nicaragua, 2009

By Carlos Gutierrez, 21^st World Congress President

  My son's name that was with us the majority of the time is Abel Efren Gutierrez Fierro. The second one with me that was filming all the time which is why you didn't meet him, was Carlos Manuel

Gutierrez M. My daughter, Alicia Gabriela Gutierrez F. was also at my and Elizabeth's

side taking care ofus. Maricela, another daughter came to the congress less days along

with Sergio another ofmy son's because they live in Diriamba, as well as Manolo

Antonio, my oldest son who was home taking care of the babies while his wife assisted

much also in the congress. She was the one working side by side with Judy Cheung at

one point. The name of the mayor of Managua is Daysi Torres Bosques and the Minister

of Culture of Nicaragua's name is Luis Morales. His support group included as follows:

Cairo Amador, Alonso Perez, Silvio Teran from TV Mulitple News. The Mayor of

Leon's name is Manuel Calderon and his sister's name is Maria Esthela Calderon who

was the person who welcomed us in the theater. My Aunt Lea Gutierrez who lived in

Leon was key in putting us in contact with many poets. I also received much support

from my cousin a poet, Luis Tersero and his wife, Gloria Elena Espinosa who is

considered the best poet in Leon and a member of the Real Academy of the Spainish

Language in Nicaragua.

     There are names of other people who helped but couldn't come to the congress and they

are: Marlene Valdavia (General Secretary of Education), Lloyda Garcia (delegate of the

Municipal House of Managua).

     The Mayor of Diriamba is Dr. Bismark Perez and his support group included: Jaime

Serrano, Jose Flores, Luis Gonzalez, Maria Elisa Molina, Abdali Barahona Matus, Rene

Antonio Selva Ramos, Dora Luz Gago Ruiz, Josue Velazguez Romero, Ana Luisa

Ochoa, Francisco Bladimir, Gonzalez Rocha, Pastura Isabel Avellan, Liseth

Aburto Aguirre, Luisa Saria Perez, Jaime Garcia Zeledon, Silvia Marcela Valle. Since

these people are from my home town (Diriamba) they were really excited and worked

very fast and hard in working along with me in preparing the program in Diriamba if you

remember what a great welcome they displayed to one and all! There was more on the

program but because we had to be back in Managua by 4:00 pm for the Mayor of

Managua, we had to cut the program short.

     Of course, we had the Pensarte group of poets and painters from Seattle and

Nicaragua working closely with me such as: Elizabeth Domondon, Leticia Highland,

Inmaculada Cruz, Inma Davis, Victor Fuentes, Dennis and Kathy Deem, Carmen Cruz,

Franscico Leiva, Adrianna Cuadra, Efren Abel Gutierrez, Rafael Rojas, Sr & Jr., Griselda

Serrano, Maria Celeste Gomez.

Program of the 21^st World Congress of Poets

presented by United Poets Laureate International (UPLI)

Hosted by Pensarte Nicaragua

Held July 16-20, 2009

At the Camino Real Hotel, Managua, Nicaragua

With functions in Diriamba, Nicaragua and Leon, Nicaragua

Day 1 Schedule, Thursday, July 16, 2009

            Programa del Día 1, Jueves 16 de julio del 2009

Opening of the 21st World Congress of Poets by 21st WCP President Carlos M. Gutierrez and UPLI President Benjamin R. Yuzon

      Apertura del 21^er Congreso Mundial de Poetas por el Presidente del 21^er WCP Carlos M. Gutiérrez y el Presidente de UPLI, Benjamin R. Yuzon

Crowning of the Congress Muse, Ms. Maria Celeste Rios Gomez

      Coronación de la Musa del Congreso, Maria Celeste Rios Gomez

Introduce the Poets of the world

      Introducción de los Poetas del mundo.

Folkdance exhibition by Managua´s Ballet Folklorico Flores de Santiago

            Baile tradicional por el Ballet Folklórico Flores de Santiago de Managua

Poet Mary Rudge presents formal greetings from US Congressman Pete Stark and Alameda City Mayor Beverly Johnson.

            La poeta Mary Rudge presenta saludos formales del Congresista estadounidense Pete Stark y la Alcaldesa de la Ciudad de Alameda, Beverly Johnson

Nicaraguan Minister of Culture gives a greeting to poets of the world

El Ministro de Cultura de Nicaragua da un saludo a los poetas del mundo

Opening banquet

            Banquete de apertura

Argentine Poet Poetry in the Electronic Age of the Internet

            Poeta argentina Poesía en la Era Electrónica del Internet

21st WCP Vice President Rafael Rojas and President of Pensarte Nicaragua greetings and talk about Nicaraguan Poetry

            Vicepresidente del 21^er WCP, Rafael Rojas y presidente de Pensarte Nicaragua saluda y habla sobre la Poesía Nicaragüense.

Natica Angilly´s Poetic Dance Theater Company with Poet Richard Angilly, Circus of Life, dedicated to the diverse artistry of Nicaragua’s most celebrated poet, Ruben Dario

      La Compañía de Teatro de Danza Poética de Natica Angilly con el Poeta Richard Angilly, Circo de la Vida, dedicada a la diversa maestría del poeta más celebrado de Nicaragua, Rubén Darío.

Dr. Ronald Shafer, University of Indiana, Pennsylvania, Poetry of the World Today

      Dr. Ronald Shafer, Universidad de Indiana, Pennsylvania, Poesía del Mundo Hoy

Art show of Nicaraguan artists from Pensarte

      Exhibición de arte por artistas nicaragüenses de Pensarte

Dennis Deem of Pensarte, Seattle, performs Flamenco Guitar

Dennis Deem de Pensarte, Seattle, interpreta Guitarra Flamenco

Dinner around the pool

      Cena alrededor de la piscina

Presentation of scholarly paper by Rosemary Harris Mallinson

      Presentación de papel académico por Rosemary Harris Mallinson

Read-around for National and International Poets

      Lectura para Poetas Nacionales e Internacionales

Day 2 Schedule, Friday, July 17, 2009

Programa del Día 2, Viernes 17 de julio del 2009

Bus to Diriamba

            Autobús hacia Diriamba

National and International presentations at Colegio Madre del Divino Pastor

            Presentaciones Nacionales e Internacionales en el Colegio Madre del Divino Pastor

            Opening ceremonies honoring the Nicaraguan Flag

                        Ceremonias de apertura honrando a la Bandera Nicaragüense

            Güegüense Dance of the Old Men

                        Baile Güegüense del Anciano

Natica Angilly’s Poetic Dance Theater Company with poet Richard Angilly presents Poetic Inspirations dedicated to Mr. Carlos M. Gutierrez P., President of the 21^st World Congress of Poets, 2009

                        La Compañía de Teatro de Baila Poético de Natica Angilly con el poeta Richard Angilly interpreta “Inspiraciones Poéticas” dedicado al Sr. Carlos M. Gutiérrez P., Presidente del 21^er Congreso Mundial de Poetas, 2009

Children’s Folkloric Company of Diriamba

         Compañía Folklórica de Niños de Diriamba

Words of welcome from the Colegio Madre del Divino Pastor administration

         Palabras de bienvenida de la administración del Colegio Madre del Divino Pastor.

Words of appreciation from UPLI President Benjamin R. Yuzon and 21^st World Congress of Poets President Carlos M. Gutierrez P.

                        Palabras de Aprecio por Benjamin R. Yuzon, Presidente de UPLI y el Presidente del 21^er Congreso Mundial de Poetas, Carlos M. Gutiérrez P.

Reading of International poets

         Lectura de poetas Internacionales

Youth Folkloric Company of Diriamba

         Compañía Folklórica de Jóvenes de Diriamba

Children’s Folkloric Company of Diriamba

         Compañía Folklórica de Niños de Diriamba

Reading of national poetry by students, choral and solo

         Lectura de poesía nacional por estudiantes, coro y individual

Reading of poetry by Diriamba poets

         Lectura de poesías por poetas de Diriamba.

Lunch

         Almuerzo

Presentation of Awards by Abdaly Barahona Matuz, Municipal Secretary J.S. for the 19^th of July Celebration and Josue Velazque R., Director for Political Strategegia de J.S. for the 19^th of July Celebration, and the mayor of Diriamba, Bismark Perez

Presentación de Reconocimientos por Abdaly Barahona Matuz, Secretario Municipal J.S., para la celebración del 19 de Julio y Josue Velazquez R., Director de Estrategia Política de J.S., para la celebración del 19 de Julio y el Alcalde de Diriamba, Bismark Perez

Visit to Bar Y Restaurante Bohio en Calle Socorro Chavez for snacks and to see the decor.

            Visita al Bar y Restaurante Bohio en Calle Socorro Chávez para meriendas y para ver la decoración.

Return to Managua

            Regreso a Managua

Welcoming Speech and presentation of diplomas to attending poets by Managua’s Mayor Daysi Torres Bosques

            Discurso de bienvenida y presentación de diplomas a los poetas asistentes por la Alcaldesa de Managua, Daysi  Torres Bosques

Attend Festival at the Plaza of the National Palace

            Asistir al Festival en la Plaza del Palacio Nacional

Poetry read-around (everyone was too tired to read after such a full day).

            Lectura de poesías (todos estaban muy cansados para leer después de un día tan completo)

Day 3 Schedule, Saturday, July 18, 2009

Programa del Día 3, Sábado 18 de julio del 2009

Bus to Leon

            Autobús hacia León.

Visit the Ancient Cathedral of Leon

            Visitar a la Anciana Catedral de León.

Relax or shop in the Plaza

            Relajarnos o comprar en la Plaza

Visit the Museum in the home of Ruben Dario, world famous Nicaraguan Poet

            Visitar al Museo en la casa de Rubén Darío, Poeta nicaragüense mundialmente famoso

Lunch in the theater

            Almuerzo en el teatro

Presentation in the theater

            Presentación en el teatro.

            Movie on the Sandanista Revolution of Nicaragua

                        Película sobre la Revolución Sandinista de Nicaragua

   Natica Angilly’s Poetic Dance Theater Company performs A Poet’s Journey, From The Page To The Stage, dedicated to all the wonderful poets of the 21^st World Congress of Poets

                           La Compañía de Teatro de Baila Poético de Natica Angilly interpreta “El Recorrido de un Poeta, Desde la Página al Escenario” dedicado a todos los maravillosos poetas del 21^er Congreso Mundial de Poetas.

Reading of International Poets

            Lectura de Poetas Internacionales

Awards from UPLI and WCP to notable poets of Leon

            Galardones de UPLI y WCP para poetas notables de León.

Participation in street fair

            Participación en ferias de la calle.

Unveiling of City Plaque with UPLI Pres. Benjamin R. Yuzon and Leon mayor Manuel Calderon

            Inauguración de una Placa de la Ciudad con UPLI Pres. Benjamin R. Yuzon y el alcalde de Leon, Manuel Calderon

Meet the Mayor in his office

            Conocer al Alcalde en su oficina.

Return to Managua

            Regreso a Managua

Dinner around the pool

            Cena alrededor de la piscina

Read-around (again all the poets were too tired after a very full day)

      Lectura de poesías (una vez más todos los poetas estaban muy cansados después de un día muy completo)

Day 4 Schedule, Sunday, July 19, 2009 (The day of National Celebration)

      Programa del Día 4, Domingo 19 de julio del 2009 (El día de la Celebración Nacional)

Please accept the Congress organizers’ apologies that the planned participation in the mass celebration of July 19 was cancelled and tours of Managua and the Masaya Volcano were unavailable due to transportation issues.

            Por favor acepten las disculpas de los organizadores del Congreso que la participación planeada en la celebración de misa del 19 de julio fuera cancelada y las giras de Managua y al Volcán Masaya no fueran disponibles debido a problemas de transporte.

Interfaith religious gathering lead by Dr. Ronald Shafer and Rex Valentine

            Reunión de diversas religiones dirigida por el Dr. Ronald Shafer y Rex Valentine

Beginning with imagery from the 23^rd Psalm, the discussion moved into comparative religious concepts of a supreme being.

            Empezando con imágenes del Salmo 23, la charla se pasó a conceptos religiosos comparativos de un ser supremo.

National and International poetry readings

            Lecturas de poesía Nacional e Internacional

Presentation on Tanka by Japanese poet Aya Yuki

            Presentación de Tanka por la poeta japonesa Aya Yuki

Presentation on sound structures and end rhymes by American poet Dr. Ronald Shafer

            Presentación de estructuras de sonido y rimas finales por el poeta americano Dr. Ronald Shafer

Presentation on use of internal and end rhymes in Kapapangan (one of 84 Philippine languages) poetry by Renato

            Presentación del uso de rimas internas y finales en poesía Kapapangan (uno de las 84 idiomas filipinos) por Renado Alzadon

Presentation on poetry as a healing art by American poet Mary Rudge.

            Presentación de poesía un arte para salud por la poeta Americana Mary Rudge

Presentation on poetry and Mesoamerican art by Mexican poet Leticia Highland

            Presentación de poesía y arte mesoamericano por la poeta mexicana Luticia Highland

Performance of Flamenco Guitar by Dennis Deem

            Interpretación de Guitarra Flamenco por Dennis Deem

Day 5 Schedule, Monday, July 20, 2009

Programa del Día 5, Lunes 20 de julio del 2009

Final Program,

            Programa Final

            Presentation on Canadian poetry by Canadian Poet Laureate Pierre DesRuiseaux

                        Presentación de poesía canadiense por el Poeta Laureado Canadiense Pierre DesRuisseaux

      Performance by Natica Angilly’s Poetic Dance Theater Company, Jellyfish by Lucille Lang Day, illustrating diversity in togetherness

                     Interpretación por la Compañía de Teatro de Baila Poético de Natica Angilly “Jellyfish” por Lucille Lang Day ilustrando la diversidad en la unidad

Words of appreciation from UPLI Pres. Benjamin R. Yuzon

      Palabras de aprecio por el Presidente de UPLI, Benjamin R. Yuzon

Flamenco Guitar by Dennis Deem

         Guitarra Flamenco por Dennis Deem

Presentation of gift from the Mayor of Larissa, Greece

to UPLI Pres. Benjamin R. Yuzon and formal announcement of Larissa, Greece, being the location of the 22^nd World Congress of Poets with Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis, M.D. as president

               Presentación de regalo por el Alcalde de Larissa, Grecia al Presidente de UPLI, Benjamin R. Yuzon, y anuncio formal de Larissa, Grecia como la ubicación del 22^do Congreso Mundial de Poetas con el Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis como presidente.

Presentation of video of Larissa, Greece, host city of the 22^nd World Congress of Poets with Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis, M.D. as president

         Presentación de video de Larissa, Grecia, ciudad sede del 22^do Congreso Mundial de Poetas con el Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis como presidente

Formal Banquet and Awards Ceremonies

            Banquete Formal y Ceremonias de Premiación

Presentation of Awards to Contest Winners by UPLI Exec. VP and 16^th WCP Pres. Dr. Wanda Rider and 20^th WCP Pres. Mary Halliburton

         Presentación de Premios a los Ganadores del Concurso por la Vicepresidenta Ejecutiva de UPLI y Presidenta del 16^to Congreso Mundial de Poetas y la Presidenta del 20^mo Congreso Mundial de Poetas, Mary Halliburton

Presentation of Amado Yuzon Awards for Dedicated Service and Excellence in Poetry

         Presentación de los Premios Amado Yuzon por Servicio Dedicado y Excelencia en Poesía.

Presentation of Laurel Crowns by UPLI Pres. Benjamin R. Yuzon assisted by Pilar Yuzon and Congress Muse Maria Celeste Rios Gomez

         Presentación de Coronas de Laurel por el Presidente de UPLI, Benjamin R. Yuzon, asistido por Pilar Yuzon y la Musa del Congreso, Maria Celeste Rios Gomez

Presentation of WCP, UPLI and Pensarte awards by Carlos Gutierrez and

Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis, assisted by Judy Hardin Cheung

      Presentación de premios WCP, UPLI y Pensarte por Carlos Gutierrez y el

Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis, asistidos por Judy Hardin Cheung

Folkloric Dance Performance by Congress Muse Maria Celeste Rios Gomez

         Interpretación de Baile Folklórico por la Musa del Congreso, Maria Celeste Rios Gomez

Close of the Congress

         Cierre del Congreso

Board Meeting

            Reunión de la Junta Directiva.

Hello my close friend who travels not by planes but with the feathers of the great peacock named poetry.

All these young people that appreciate you, especially me, say hello.

My friend, I inform you that the congress was a success.  Even though we were a little short of funding from the Departmental Secretary for the Youth, we didn’t stop and what was in abundance here was willpower and not money.

Each moment was enjoyed by the young people who demanded a space for participation and your participation in the projects of the municipality and within the programs from the government; we are also changing the direction of the coordinators to be more efficient and more operational.

Please write soon
Escribe pronto.   
Always your friend, Josué 

Dennis Deem, 21st WCP host from Pensarte Seattle and guitarist wrote this email to Judy Cheung and sent the poems to be included in UPLI publications.

So good to hear from you.  We had a wonderful time with the World Congress of Poets and as soon as I find some unused cash I will be requesting admission to such an honorable group.  I have been overwhelmed and underpowered since our return to a hum drum life style, however a few things of note have happened.  Kathy has put some pictures on her site.

http://kdseagull.com

I am still working on performances, including one for this weekend.  I hope to do more after that.  We took about two gigabytes worth of pictures so I will have to put them on a DVD in order to send them out to you.  That should happen some time next week and for a small fee of like five dollars I will make them available to others in the group as well.  I will also send the poetry that I rread as soon as I have the time to copy the "I was famous today" poem from notebook to computer.  Hopefully over the weekend.  The videos Carlos and I will be working on.  We will be having a  Pensarte meeting this Sunday with local members and he and I will see what can be done to make a presentation out of the collected videos from the three of us.

Thank you for all of your great website work I have gotten a lot of comments and compliments from those that I have shared it with.

Dennis Ray Deem
http://anamericangypsy.com
http://5d-solutions.com
http://homemade-songs.com
http://kdseagull.com

Forever Like This

@ 1985 by Dionysos (Dennis Ray Deem)

I can see by the stars in your eyes so bright

That you’ve been playing with me in your dreams at night

And I hope we’ve been dancing in the pale moonlight

Forever like this it would be all right

And together we went out to the ball

To dance in the breeze by the pines so tall

There at the club on the rocks by the beach

Where we danced for the moon that we almost could reach

And you took me for a walk that won’t leave my mind

And showed me what it was like when you were so kind

And now that memory is all I recall

That dance on the beach when I held you my doll

You stood by my side neath the bright moonlight

There on the sand near the oncoming tide

It was in our hearts and our minds all right

Forever like this it would be tonight

Yes I can see by the stars in your eyes so bright

That you’ve been playing with me in your dreams at night

And I hope we’ve been dancing in the pale moonlight

Forever like this it would be all right

I WAS FAMOUS TODAY

By Dennis Ray Deem © July 2009

I was famous today

She looked at me that way

Then in her school girl voice

Asked that I sign

Her child hood journal

She had waited long for that day

At that moment it was the thought of glory

In a life of hope

Her eyes gave me memories

Of the laughter I once knew

Never to know again

But reflected in her young eyes

So I was famous today

She was my fan

But, I am not famous

I am a simple man

Whose hopes are

Grown into stories

And memories of laughter

From the youth of an old man

She was famous today

And the poets read

Then recited

While the children listened

They were famous today

The poets at center stage

Full of hope and peace

Yes we were all simple people

Happy with a moment of peace

The children were famous today

We were all famous today

Written in Diriamba, Nicaragua

While attending an event of

The 21st World Congress of Poets

This email was sent to Judy Cheung by Dr. Veena B. Desai, MD and Dr. Vinay D. Gandevia after the Congress.

Good to hear from you. We enjoyed our jouney a great deal with such wonderful group of people. There was an obvious devotion to the cause on everybody's part. This was our first journey with this group and it was a positive one. Your dedication was obvious and thanks for your positive attitude to everything.

For some reason we have not been able to open the website to look at the photos. We will keep trying. I am not sure what the problem is. We would certainly enjoy looking at the memories sent by you. I am sure one way or the other we will get to it, sooner or later.

Here are some small modifications in our Listings:
I am writing here our correct information’s. You may look at it and make those slight corrections.

Dr. Veena B. Desai, MD
35 Sean Louis Circle,
West Springfield, MA-01089
Tel: 413-747-9777    email: veenadesai@comcast.net

Dr. Vinay D. Gandevia
35 Sean Louis Circle,
West Springfield,  MA-01089
Tel: 413-747-9777    email: vdgandevia@yahoo.com

God willing we will meet again in Greece.
If we could be of any help, let Vinay know. We do have some administrative and management experience having held such positions in our professions. I think we can improve on some simple matters. We are constantly involved in various conventions and conferences and have some ideas and insights. We could see that you were single handedly  struggleing to do your best and with your woderful nature you could achieve success and goodwill of all. Keep up your good work. You are a very important part of the organization.
God bless. Wish you well.
Regards:  Veena and Vinay  

NICARAGUA    REPORT  21st World Congress of Poets, July 16-20, 2009
by Poet Mary Rudge, Alameda, California

President Carlos Gutierrez P  opened  the 21st World Congress of Poets held in Managua, Nicaragua, July 16-20, 2009, at the  Camino Real Hotel, with a meaningful program, setting the tone for all the days of the Congress which would inspire, educate, and bond together in friendship delegates from the many countries attending, by introducing each of them to the general assembly and presenting the speakers, including the Nicaraguan Minister of Culture, the Honorable Luis Morales,  who gave a warm
welcoming to the poet delegates.

President Carlos Gutierrez P. proclaimed the beauty of his country of lakes, volcanoes, strong people, poets, and thanked the Minister of Culture for standing at his right side to help bring about the World Congress of Poets in Nicaragua. "The country is small, but we dream it very big." he said. It has always been a country of poets.
  
Dr Ben Yuzon, President of the Congress Parent Organization, United Poets
Laureate International, spoke, with quotes from poets through the past, Gabriela Mistral of Chile, William Wordsworth, USA, and others, who wrote of peace and brotherhood, the theme of UPLI and of the Congress.He introduced the Poet Laureate from the Philippines. The Poet Laureate from Canada, as declared by the Canadian Parliament also honored the Congress with his presence.
  
The Poet Laureate of Alameda, Ca, USA, and UPLI Woman of Letters, Mary
Rudge, presented  Congress President, Carlos Gutierrez P and the Minister of Culture with Official Greetings from USA Congressman Fortney "Pete" Stark, as representative for California's 13th district in the
USA House of Representatives,  and Alameda City Mayor, Beverly Johnson in which
Congressman Stark stated " The creative  minds, poetry and culture of all
poets attending this convention will undoubtedly help promote peace and brotherhood.  I would like to commend all of the poets attending this World Congress ...I send my best wishes to all poets attending the event and the citizens of Managua. May your thoughts and actions continue to promote peace and intercultural understanding in all parts of the
world...." and Mayor Johnson wrote, in part, "may the spirit of the Congress of Poets promote peace and harmony throughout the world."
  
The USA based Natica Angilly's Poetic Dance Theater Company with Poet Richard Angilly and dancers, sponsored by Artists Embassy International and the Dancing Poetry Festival of San Francisco, performed.
  
A young girl from Nicaragua, Maria Celeste Rios Gomez, chosen to be given the title Muse of the Congress had a laurel wreath crown placed on her head by Nicaragua Poet Laureate Renato Alzadon.
  
Poets returned to the Congress Program center after dinner to read their own poetry.
Day 2
Some poets rose as early as 5:30 AM to prepare for a bus trip to Diriamba for the July 17 events. Highlights of the program in Diriamba included a program at a school, Colegio Madre del Divino Pastor  where students,  neat in school uniforms, read poems by Ruben Dario and others, presented folk dances that had ancient historic significance which they
described and dances in beautiful costume such as representing Flor de Sacuanjoche the National Flower, served refreshments to all of the more than a hundred in the auditorium, and heard some of the Poets from the Congress read and saw the Natica Angilly Poetic Dance group again perform. Then the delegates saw an exhibit and could meet artisans of the city and purchase their crafts, which benefited the school.

The day in the city of Diriamba continued with a Banquet in a modern restaurant, a visit to a folkloric restaurant and program there.. Poets were given commemorative Certificates signed by the Municipal Secretary, Abdaly Barabona Matuz,  and the Political Director of Diriamba city, Josue Felazque R,  with its charming official stamp and data: Covierno de Reconciliacion y Unitdad Nacional Ano 30 de la Revolucion, all embossed or stamped on the certificate. The Mayor of Diriamba was present to welcome
> us. 

We returned on our long bus ride to be a part of the crowd of thousands of flag waving, cheering, Nicaraguans in Managua, hearing music and speeches, seeing dances and enthusiastic people, hundreds who had come from surrounding villages, all celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the ending of the Sandinista revolution which established the current governing concepts of Nicaragua, leading to the embedding of no longer needed  guns into a concrete monument wall in the Park of Peace (Parque de la Paz)  in Managua, where they can be seen with parts showing through the concrete, turning to rust.
  
 For the National Holiday celebration of this 30^th Anniversary, media was everywhere documenting the decorated buildings, lights, fireworks, huge billboards, throughout the Plaza de la Revolution, before the National Palace of Culture, Ruben Dario Park,  and the very ancient Cathedral de Santiago, which was the central gathering place where the Revolution ended and where we stood that evening along with thousands of others. We had been given printed invitations which were quite beautiful with a photograph of the square during the revolution with the people in victory on the invitation for the day of the 17th. It is good we had come the day before the  final day.

(On the next night, buses could not get through, our own bus was commandeered by the government as were all private busses to transport the populace. People spread out from the Cathedral and stages back, back, back for city blocks, with hundreds of banners held high and thick in the air.  One million of the country's five million citizens live in Managua and it would seem most of them were there in this Plaza for three days and nights!)

This night, the 17th, returning to the hotel after hours of standing in the dark and hearing speeches (all in Spanish of course) we tried to find the channels where we were interviewed and photographed on TV news.  We were shocked to find that almost every channel was instead of this news,  showing a soccer game. And this was true of almost every channel every day we were in Nicaragua. Soccer  rules (the air waves, at least). The hotel bar was full of viewers of the big screen TV soccer games.
  
At last Sarah Lum, who was my roommate, and I found a channel with continuous broadcasting from the Plaza de Revolution of all the action and speeches and we watched for hours, not understanding a word as we had no one to interpret for us and neither of us knew enough Spanish. But the excitement, the passion, the sincerity of the people came through in their faces and their stance. Wiping sweat from their faces for they stood in such heat. We remembered how it all felt throbbing through us in the night when we were there among the people, the sounds and the banners and lights.

Day 3

Early rising and another of the daily fabulous breakfast buffets offered by the Camino Real Hotel, at which we feasted on every breakfast food we could desire, some, omelets, tacos, tortillas, meats, cooked personally for us before our eyes. There were all kinds of melon juices, and of course coffee, this is the center of the universe for coffee. We could also each at breakfast time, which lasted from 6am till 10:30 am as long as we wanted to stay, talking and savoring various tastes,  choose from arrays of sweet rolls and every
 imaginable fruit which perhaps originated in the Garden of Eden; some still not known in other countries even through import, and we learned their tastes and their names.

Our trip on Day 3 was to the town of Leon, where Nicaragua's famous poet, Ruben Dario lived, died and was buried after his life as a world poet in France, Chile, etc etc and other countries, everywhere acclaimed.

We saw Ruben Dario's tomb in the Cathedral with its carved stone lion and laurel wreath of the same granite. Stone angels everywhere. Then to his home-museum to see his books, manuscripts, green garden, and feel we could glimpse and appreciate his life style in a place where his ancestors and his personal history lived, all in photos and narrative on the walls and in cases holding parts of his life, as he wrote.

In Leon, in the square before the Cathedral and the City Hall, an outdoor celebration had also taken place and we were part of it, introduced and welcomed by the Mayor of Leon who then met us at a reception in the Mayor's offices. Again, we had seen dancers, heard speeches and were part of the National Holiday events.
  
Normally, delegates to World Congresses of Poets are not part of any political events in any country. But poetry is so integral to the life style and history of all Nicaragua that one cannot be there and be apart from the words and rhythms and ideas of the poets every school child, even every worker in the fields and business person and civic leader, knows. To be apart from the poetry of Ernesto Cardenal, Ruben Dario\ and all the other poets who have made Nicaragua what it is would be to not be a part of Nicaragua at all.
  
 Leon is a city of beautiful churches, the Iglesia La Recoleccion, the bell tower and the crypts, the angel statues, the aura of thesaints and the echoes of the Mass and choirs of praise and all surrounded us that day in Leon when we were called forth by the Mayor as part of the ceremonies in the Plaza across from the beautiful ancient church where Ruben Dario lay at peace.
  
A banquet lunch was held for us at a cultural center before which statues of the muses stood and sat on their pedestals, and which included a restaurant and also incorporated a theater and stage where a lighting designer who was a genius with lights did his skilled technical magic while Natica Anglilly and dancers and poet Richard Angilly again gave a performance. Poet delegates at the Congress read their works from the stage.
 
Then we returned to Managua to the  Camino Real Hotel, Congress headquarters, for a memorable afternoon with the new Mayor of Managua, the Honorable Daysi Bosques. She personally presented poets with official recognition of their service to poetry in handsome big engraved folders.

Then poets were treated again to another banquet dinner warmed on a line of clay pots with fire in each on the long buffet table. Again that evening at the Hotel Camino Real, Poets read their poetry in the Read-Around Bardic Circle style. Poets  bought and sold and traded books and displayed their books at a book table.

Day 4:
This final morning was devoted to the Congress business of delegates speeches, workshops, and poetry readings. Among the workshops was a Tanka workshop by Japanese poet Aya Yuhki, a member of the Japan Tanka Society to which 5000 Tanka  poets in Japan belong. She brought with her a Tanka publication and told of a Thousand Poets Anthology, and invited us to Tokyo, Oct 10-12 2009, to meet at an event at a shrine "Where shrine and grass meet." She told of Tanka's long history, more than 700 years in Japan and of its popularity. She explained Tanka as more emotional than Haiku, containing more of the human element, and with a form which encompasses the concept of Haiku or its more emotional counterpart, Senryu, but expands it.  The Tanka Journal  of the Nihon Kajin Tanka Poets' Society she brought contained work by Naoshi Koriyama, crowned as a Poet Laureate by United Poets Laureate International at a previous Congress. In the Reading, Sarah Lum read his poems. 

Mary Rudge spoke on the Body/Mind Connection of Poetry as a Healing Art; Dr Ronald Shafer, from Indiana University in Pennsylvania, USA,  gave two talks, one on poetry roots in Christian history and one on English letters which form words which have sounds which affect emotion as well as intellect. Rex Valentine presented his original songs and spoke of the connection between poetry and song. Papers were given by Rosemary Harris-Malinson and others. Rita Bogaert, who said "I heard Simon Noriga say
 ‘everyone is a poet unless he can prove that he is not one,' told of the Amhurst method of critiquing in which only positive statements are made and led several writing sessions for
 interested poets, using themes and ideas from workshops she was involved in California.

A painting of a dancer in a folk tale which can be changed to suit the significance of the condition the dancer and poet want to give meaning to was brought in an Nicaraguan poets responded to the painting by telling the story of the painting, by the artist and poet friend who enacted a poem and dance in unison with the artist/poet. The story bears out a saying paralleled by, in the USA, Mark Twain who said the people's greatest weapon
 is humor. The Nicaraguan story contains a character who thinks he is an important imperialistic leader but really represents an unwelcome country or person  dominator of the country, whom the people of the country see as a Big Rat. The other character is
 a folkloric dancer who is against the Big Rat and who can assume many persona. The dancer also appears in other folklore. He has an interchangeable mask/head. Sometimes, even in the same poem or dance he is a hero, sometimes an object of fun. As a Macho human man, he can be a horse, a stallion, and yet sometimes just a donkey (so said the poet's poem.)

World Congress of Poets Past Presidents, Mary Halliburton and Wanda Rider announced winners of the poetry contest they  co-chaired for this Congress and awarded the poets their prize money and/or certificates in the 4 categories of poetry named for the contest.
  

 Certificates of recognition and medals were given by President Carlos Gutierrez P and Dr Benjamin Yuzon, including of awarding Laurel Crowns to poets chosen to be honored at this Congress, which included the Poet Laureate from the Philippines and the Poet Laureate from Canada and others. This was the concluding ceremony of the 2009 World Congress of Poets, but plans for the 22nd World Congress were already in progress for 2011.

An invitation to the next Congress, the 22nd World Congress of Poets to be held in Greece, was given to all delegates at the 21st Congress by the President of the next Congress,  Dr. Dimitris Kraniotis. The invitation will be open to other poets. Dr Kraniotis showed  a film of Larissa,  the Capital City of Thessoly, in the heart of Greece and next to "the mountain of the gods,"Olympus where the Congress will be held.

The city's ancient symbol is a horse, and tokens of this city were given to the UPLI Board members to commemorate the acceptance of this site of the  next Congress which is already being promoted by newspapers, TV's, Tourism leaders, and civic officials in Greece.
  
To produce a World Congress of Poets is a heroic feat. Dr Kraniotis has the best wishes and encouragement of everyone of the delegates to this World Congress. President of the 21st World Congress of Poets in Nicaraga, Carlos Gutierriz P and his entire committee which included his wife, Elizabeth, his  sons, his daughter, his brother and their families and many friends and poets in Nicaragua as well as a group of his personal talented friends and supporters from Seattle, Washington, who came to play music, give poetry and in general provide service and morale to their friend Carlos and to the poets.

From Santa Rosa California, Judy Cheung, UPLI Inc secretary, president of Poets of the Vineyard Chapter of California Federation of Chaparral Poets Inc, a member of the board of the Redwood Empire Chinese Language School, teacher in the Gifted and Talented Program, and holder of many other titles, helped to hold the Congress together and further it along as assistant to Congress President Carlos Gutierrez P, as only a person of her own diverse experience could do. All praise goes to many, as Carlos expressed.
 
But of course it is the Congress President to whom the major commendation must be given for it is the President who conceives of the nature of the Congress for his or her own country, knowing the country and its history and significance and poetry's place in the country that makes the Congress possible in its own special way in that country. It is the Congress President's connections with poets of the country, with officials whose respect is earned and given and  whose appearance may enhance and make more credible for the country the importance of the presence of the poets and poetry's place in the country's history, education, society and future.
 
Then it is the Congress President's constant hard work communication, planning, outreach, carrying through on almost a daily basis for a year or two of preparation for the Congress which brings the delegates together from countries around the world for the program the Congress President by his own inner vision, hard work, skill, capability  and dedication, has created and carries through to completion.

The happy memory, success, and documentation of the Congress through reports by individuals who were there as witness and participant become archival history of this great long time effort toward peace and intercultural understanding, toward unity and love among all peoples.

Personally, as a result of the Congress, I bought and am reading more books by Nicaragua's writers. Currently, several hundred pages already of the 481 page Cosmic Canticle by Ernesto Cardenal, after becoming so impressed with the statue he designed for the liberation which I at last could stand in the presence of on the mountain overlooking in its various directions the new cathedral and the city, the place where poor were suffering, and people were striving for change, there also seeing creation as original an pure, of earth's beautiful green trees and fields.  Cardenal's long epic poem is an odyssey of civilization and social change, politics, exploitation, evolution out of darkness, over thirty years in the writing. I had read only shorter collections of his poems, since seeing him long ago in Berkeley at his reading,  using the North Berkeley Senior Center auditorium.

And I just finished reading, as I began it simultaneously, Hatful of Tigers, Sergio Ramiriz's Reflections on Art, Culture and Politics. About writers, Julio Cortazar, Ernesto Cardenal, Roque Dalton, Father Gaspar Garcia Laviana of the Order of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, another priest, though called The Buddha, who led in the struggle for social justice, and others and the part they played in revolution in Nicaraga, which was for rights for minors, for schools, for child care centers, for the peasants, People like Panchito Gutierrez of Diriamba who carried a heavy weapon on his back over  rocks and hills and through swamps and rough terrain all night and who also was killed being a soldier for the revolution. People like 25 year old Dora Maria Tellez, heroine of Leon, who led the liberation of the city,
 
I was glad a group of us from California had arrived early and taken a city tour so we had a sense of place and historic information we could refer to in our minds during the Congress.

A guide from Grey Line who showed us the city also told of a time the US tried to use Nicaragua as a surrogate state or secret colony and contributed to the blood and death through which Nicaragua rebels, the Sandinistas, changed the destiny of Nicaragua. Since we were Americans on the tour she was careful to also tell us of the friendship that was now between the two countries. She was fair in pointing out ways the current government had also failed to house the poor and help industry so people would have employment. On the other hand, there was no trash on any street or sidewalk, the poor scavenged every scrap. The air was pure, the sky was clear, all was clean and green, perhaps because there were no industrial complexes to  send toxins and  pollution into the air. Building of resort areas and tourist centers, road work, seemed to be taking place constantly, there were crews of workmen in orange vests everywhere we looked. Earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic threats often devastated the country and the USA was always a primary source of aid in disasters. Not just to Nicaragua, but giving stringless aid to almost every country at time of a national disaster, and it seemed Nicaragua had suffered a great deal over the past years.
  
Nicaragua had had an earthquake killing 10,000 people in 1972, followed by the death of tens of thousands of people during the uprising of the rebel Sandisa's to overthrow the Somosa government, in 1979, then in 1998 a Hurricane killed thousands and caused a fifth of the entire population to be displaced into refugee camps. Some still live in huts made of plastic, tin, or found scrap material. Many live and sleep along the road strips where they make a precarious living selling whatever items they can, or begging, in the midst of traffic, going into the streets, among the cars. Even many young children must risk death in this way, to live. Education is not compulsary and a majority cannot afford to be in school.
  
But the country is making effort to change. Tourism is just beginning and it predicted this will change the economy. Nicaragua has much beauty to offer, the people are primarily beautiful spirited, compassionate, and creative.
  
On my flight down, on Continental from Houston to Nicaraga a nun was in the seat next to me and although she did not speak much English she was able to tell me she was from Managua and nuns of her order who had been on missionary work in Texas, Honduras, and other places were being called to convene in Managua to see how they could help the people of Honduras who were in need.
  
It was not only poets coming to the World Congress of Poets who would be concerned at this time about world peace, setting an example of creating peace through words of the poets,  there was also to be the work and prayers of
> many others who would be going about the world to create and sustain peace and love.

>-------------end.