ECOS, a 3-Day Fest Celebrating Latine Poetry in Chicago

The Poetry Foundation Presents ECOS, a three-Day Festival Celebrating Latine Poetry in Chicago September 26-28, 2024 Free, bilingual poetry events and activities to be presented with the North River Commission (Albany Park), the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (Humboldt Park), and the National Museum of Mexican Art (Pilsen)

The Poetry Foundation announces ECOS: A Chicago Latine Poetry Festival, a three-day series of free, Spanish and English programming celebrating the living connection between Latine poetry and Chicago.

ECOS is presented in partnership with the North River Commission in Albany Park, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Humboldt Park, and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen.

The festival runs from September 26-28, 2024.

Echoes of Chicago’s History of Latine Poetry
ECOS takes its name from the Spanish word for echoes and pays homage to Chicago’s history of cultivating Latine poetry, specifically, the Nezahualcóyotl Poetry Festival. Organized in 1991 by Chicago poet Carlos Cumpián, the two-day festival assembled 13 Chicano poets from across the United States to read at the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum in Pilsen, now the National Museum of Mexican Art.

ECOS seeks to carry on the Nezahualcóyotl Poetry Festival’s legacy by uniting Chicagoans with an opportunity to engage with and celebrate Latine poetry. The closing event of the festival, which was co-curated by and features Cumpián, offers a final toast to the 1991 festival. In addition to running during National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15), ECOS aligns with the September release of Latino Poetry: the Library of America Anthology, and the first public event features poets from the anthology reading at the Poetry Foundation.

“It is an exciting moment to celebrate the Latine poets of Chicago and their rich contributions to the city’s literary landscape,” said Ydalmi Noriega, VP of programs and engagement at the Poetry Foundation. “Over three days in September, we will honor the poets who gathered here in 1991, highlight the generation of poets who have worked in this city since, and dream together about the future.”

Free Public Programming: Headlining Events

• Thursday, September 26: ECOS kicks off with an opening event at the Poetry Foundation in River North with readings from writers featured in Latino Poetry: the Library of America Anthology: Brenda Cárdenas, Julian Randall, and Erika L. Sánchez, who are joined by Davon Clark, Suzi F. Garcia, and Achy Obejas. A celebratory reception with music by Papo Santiago will follow.

• Friday, September 27: Programming continues at 7 PM in Albany Park’s 33rd Ward Parking Lot with the ECOS Poetry Lot Jam. This family-friendly event features an opening performance by student poets from Chicago Poetry Center, performances by poets Marta Collazo and Julián Martinez, and a musical performance by Future Rootz.

• Saturday, September 28: A tribute to David Hernandez and Salima Rivera begins at noon at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Humboldt Park’s namesake park. The tribute features performances of Rivera and Hernandez’s work and a discussion of their lives and legacies by family, former students, and friends, including Eduardo Arocho, Batya and Matea Hernandez, Kayla González Huertas, Mayda del Valle, Luis Tubens, Marta Collazo, and members of Hernandez’s former band, Street Sounds. Additionally, the Humboldt Park Boathouse will host a Rivera and Hernandez pop-up exhibition of broadsides and posters.

• Saturday, September 28 (closing reception): ECOS comes to a close with a reception featuring music by guitarist Ivan Reséndiz at Pilsen’s National Museum of Mexican Art starting at 6:30 PM. The final event brings Carlos Cumpián back to the scene of the 1991 Nezahualcóyotl Poetry Festival with readings co-curated by and featuring Cumpián, along with guests Crystal Vance Guerra, Rubén Medina, and Yolanda Nieves.

In addition to the headlining events, each location will offer a variety of interactive poetry-related activities. To attend ECOS events and explore the full schedule by location, please register at ECOS: A Chicago Latine Poetry Festival.

About the Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation recognizes the power of words to transform lives. The Foundation works to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry. Follow the Poetry Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and Poetry magazine at @PoetryMagazine.