Reykjavík, known for its rich literary community, was named a “UNESCO City of Literature” 13 years ago. This recognition has led to many projects promoting literature, including Reykjavík Poetics. Founded in June 2023, Reykjavík Poetics hosts events at Mengi twice a month, supporting the local poetry scene.
Ewa Marcinek, the founder, is well-known in the literary community. She is the author of Polishing Iceland and has curated Writers Adrift, a collection of essays from foreign writers in Iceland. Reykjavík Poetics started as a curated night focused on specific themes and quickly gained popularity.
“It’s always surprising how many people come,” Ewa said. “At first, we didn’t have enough chairs, and I thought, ‘Who will come to poetry?’ But then a crowd showed up.”
As interest grew, the organizers added an open mic portion to the events. Writer Kjartan Már Ómarsson, whom Ewa calls the “godfather” of Poetics, suggested increasing the frequency of events from once a month to twice a month. Ewa realized she needed help, so in May, she brought on producers Francesca Cricelli, Martyna Daniel, and Christopher Marcatili, along with host Gabe Dunsmith.
Reykjavík Poetics celebrated its one-year anniversary in June with the event “Til Hamingju!” Since its inception, it has hosted 14 curated events and four open mic nights at Mengi. Additionally, they held two Writer’s O’Clocks at Hafnar.haus, where writers engage in informal conversations with attendees. By this milestone, over 100 artists had performed at Reykjavík Poetics events.
Not Just Poetry
Despite its name, Reykjavík Poetics is not limited to poetry. The group has showcased screenplays, non-fiction, music, and stand-up comedy. Ewa describes it as “a space for experiments.” She encourages creativity, saying, “Why not try fun and surprising things?”
The themed nights can be curated by board members or outside contributors. Events have included nights focused on glaciers in collaboration with the Snæfellsjökull for President campaign, a neurodiverse literary event curated by Kathy D’Arcy, and a rant night curated by board member Martyna and Grayson Del Faro. Ewa emphasizes their openness to new ideas: “It’s different to read your poetry on stage than to curate a program and present it.”
Everyone is Welcome
Ewa believes Reykjavík Poetics fills an important gap in the local literary scene. She noted that many events often feature the same well-known names, making it hard for lesser-known writers to share their work. There is no expectation to present published work, making the events accessible to anyone, including those who may hesitate to call themselves writers.
“I might not be writing if it weren’t for this series,” Martyna said. Ewa encouraged her to write a piece for presentation, and the positive response inspired her. “I remember feeling shivers. I thought, ‘Oh my god, I have to write more.’”
Martyna also feels comfortable sharing imperfect work, which she finds important. Ewa shared how Martyna’s reading received a strong reaction. “People laughed so hard it was hard to hear her,” Ewa said. “It’s amazing to see how authors are growing.”
Gabe shared a story about a comedian who attended an open mic event. The comedian expressed his appreciation for the respectful and attentive audience, contrasting it with other open mic experiences where patrons often disregard performers. “Here, people are respectful and attentive,” Gabe said. “He was struck by the supportive atmosphere.”
A Night of Many Languages
Reykjavík Poetics events are primarily in English, but reading in other languages is encouraged. “Sometimes people feel shy about not speaking English. We love that,” Chris said. Recent events included readings in English, Icelandic, Italian, and Russian. The board is especially excited about featuring Icelandic poetry. They aim to create a multilingual space where non-native speakers can experience poetry in Icelandic.
The board members speak passionately about their initiative. “Regardless of the material, whether funny or serious, the crowd is always in the mood for it,” Chris noted. Ewa added, “You can laugh and cry,” prompting smiles from the group.
Looking ahead, the board members remain hopeful but cautious about their future. Their current contract with Reykjavíkurborg is short-term, so they focus on upcoming events rather than long-term plans. An open mic is scheduled for October 16, followed by a curated night of “Ghost Stories” on October 30, and a night of translated Palestinian poetry in November.
Although Mengi is their current venue, Ewa jokes about what might happen if it changes. Martyna reassures her, saying, “We will always find spaces. Physical spaces are physical spaces.” Ewa agrees, “We have created this community. I think we could easily travel.”
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