Ethiopian poet Beweketu Seyoum has been unveiled as one of the headline guests of Barcelona Poesia 2026, set to take place from May 14 to 21, 2026, in Barcelona.

Beweketu will take part in the festival’s closing ceremony on May 21 at Palau de la Música Catalana, alongside seven poetic voices representing diverse languages, cultures, and literary traditions from around the world. The event, held as part of the 41st Barcelona International Poetry Festival, underscores the festival’s longstanding commitment to international literary exchange and cultural dialogue, organizers said.

Born in Mankusa in 1980, Beweketu is regarded as one of the most important voices in contemporary Ethiopian literature. He has published two acclaimed collections of poetry in Amharic — Nwari Alba Gojowoch (Unmanned Houses, 2001) and Yesat Dar Hasaboch (Fireside Meditations, 2009). He has also authored a book of short stories, two novels, and a collection of humorous stories released on CD. His poetry collection Cantique de la nuit, translated into French by Alain Sancerni and accompanied by paintings by Selome Muleta, received a warm critical reception. Beweketu’s poetry, written in Amharic, is often described as blending popular Ethiopian poetic traditions with a sharp, satirical, ironic, witty, and cynical modern style.
The poet’s participation in Barcelona Poesia 2026 was suggested by Laurent Lafuma, a French actor who previously lived in Ethiopia and attended one of Beweketu’s performances at the Ethiopian Embassy in Paris two years ago. Impressed by Beweketu’s stage presence, poetic voice, Lafuma is said to have played a key role in introducing his work to the festival’s organizers, together with Franco-Beninese Hounhouénou Joël Lokossou, helping pave the way for his inclusion in the 2026 edition of Barcelona Poesia 2026..