Somewhere in the city, an unexpected encounter: Poetic Consultations offer moments of listening, sharing, and poetry to those passing by. For about 20 minutes, a “doctor on duty”—an actor—prescribes poems that heal, comfort, and awaken new perspectives. The initiative, open to everyone, invites pause and reflection through the poetic word.
Recalling Fernando Pessoa, «can poetry cure all ills«?
In Lisbon, the first edition of the year will take place on January 22, as part of Solidarity Night, which will take place simultaneously in other European cities. Participating in this initiative are the international partners of São Luiz/EGEAC (Lisbon), Théâtre de la Ville (Paris, France), TNRS/Sibiu International Theater Festival (Sibiu, Romania), Qendra Multimedia (Lipljan, Kosovo), and Teatro Stabile di Catania (Catania, Italy).
The Botto Machado Garden, next to the Feira da Ladra flea market, will host another edition of Consultas Poéticas (Poetic Consultations) to celebrate World Poetry Day on 21 March. In this encounter between literature and the community, our ‘actor doctors’ prescribe personalised poems for the well-being and care of the soul. These are small gestures in public spaces that transform art into an essential remedy for everyday life.
On 23 April, World Book Day, poetry takes over the hustle and bustle of Santa Apolónia Station. Between departures and arrivals, Poetic Consultations invite passers-by to swap their rush for an unexpected encounter. A necessary pause in the crossroads of people, in an initiative of reflection through the poetic word, open to everyone.
