Slam poetry in the library of the city of Viersen

Many people came to the meeting room of the municipal library. So many people that once again are brought in, especially in the last rows, in the public. They all came to hear what the four participants of Slam Poetry U20 have to say – and that was a lot.

The contest is organized by the municipal library. "We were looking for an event format for young people who are also connected to the library, which is how we came to the poetry slam," said organizer Marianne Bartsch. "It is also important for us that young people do not receive a finished product directly, but they can express themselves, we want to promote them, and so far, that has come very well," she continues.

To prepare participants for the poetry competition, the library organized for the first time two workshops with Max Raths, who also provided moderation this year, replacing the author and slammer Jonas Jahn. The 21-year-old has himself participated twice in the Viersen slam and can decide for him. "Slam here in Viersen was my first slam, because you feel slavery," Raths said. In the first workshop, participants were able to learn about topics and promote their creativity. The second workshop then focuses on the participants' texts. The shortening or the decoration, the accent and the presentation were on the program.

Before the four young poets entered the scene, Raths warmed the audience with a first game. And then it started for the participants. In a turn and a tour, they presented their very personal and moving words. Once the conversation ended, viewers were able to hold a rose. There was a point for everyone. Alina (21 years old) has been slamming for a few years and is familiar with the slam of the four poems: "I have already had some difficult phases of my life behind me.When writing, I can arrange my emotions." I participated many times in the contest and I was able to participate again this year.Anything that I write comes from my heart, "says the young woman.

In her first lecture, "Menschenzitat", Alina explained how people can change and come forward in the wrong light. She was therefore very critical of society. Léonie was the youngest participant in the poetry slam, but nevertheless, the 13-year-old girl did well badimilate the lessons learned from the workshops. She chose prose texts. Among other things, she presented a declaration of love to a very special person.

Noha (16) was not only the only male participant in the contest, but also the final winner, who emerged from the public's decision. He presented two texts in each of the two rounds. "Although I still write, I did not know the Poetry-Slam format until my German teacher spoke to me about it." The slam here was my first. </ P> <p> was so much fun, "says the student. Noha was particularly persuasive with his text "Perspektiven", in which he humorously described the situation of a pickpocket of the different points of view of the participants.

Mia, 19, presented her lyrics with a strong presentation style. On the one hand, she described a story of war, bunkers and fear of a true story. For her part, the young woman chose the slogan of the contest "Listen to me" to write a text about people who are calm but who also have something to say.