YOUTH SLAM FOR THE FUTURE

It was two intense days at the Council of Europe, where six performers came together around the word and issues that go beyond the stage: human rights, democracy, the environment, freedom, and youth.

Representing Portugal also presented another challenge: writing and performing in English. Stepping away from the language I usually write in forced me to seek out other forms of rhythm, intention, and presence, without losing what I wanted to say.

There was also time to explore Strasbourg and, above all, to meet five artists who were very different from one another. Five ways of writing, speaking, thinking, and using words. I listened a lot, learned, discussed, laughed, and came to realize once again something that has been with me for quite some time: Words change when they encounter someone on the other side.

One phrase from those days really stuck with me: “Words change people, and those people then change the world.”

I like this idea: we change the world by changing ourselves.