Celebrating the arts
Irina González Maceo looks at how the libraries at the International School of Havana have also become Poetry Cafés!
Our libraries
The International School of Havana has two campuses and two libraries – one at Calle (Street) 18 in the suburb of La Habana where we have our KG – G8 school, and one at Calle 22, where Grades 9 to 12 are based. These libraries have always been more than just places for reading — they have evolved into hubs for creativity, self-expression, and connection, fostering a strong sense of belonging to our community in Havana.
Why a Poetry Café?
For us, the library is such an obvious place to host an event celebrating the creative arts. A call to wake up our inner poets, a poetry café offers the perfect space to switch off and connect with others. Poetry, I believe, is medicine for the soul — even in silence, it allows us to dive deep into our thoughts and emotions. Just what we need in this modern world of ours.
Here’s what poetry cafés mean to me, captured in a simple acrostic:
Performing
Open to talk
Expressing ourselves through the power of words
Teaching one another
Respect, and much more
Yearning for dreams to unfold
Embracing Growth through Poetry Cafés
The Spoken Word Poetry Café initiative was first introduced by Ms. Miya, our former librarian and I for our older students at Calle 22 in 2023 and it became a realty for our younger students at the end of 2024. For us, December 6th, 2024, marked a milestone at ISH, as we brought a long-held dream to life, and our library space for younger students became everything we had envisioned for younger students in this celebration of the arts.
The G9 – 12 library at our Calle 22 campus has always provided a cosy and creative atmosphere for high school students and now the Calle 18 library was transformed into a vibrant cultural space for primary and middle school students, enhanced by the Grade 8 “Still Life” art exhibition.
It was a day that showcased ISH’s commitment to nurturing creativity, collaboration and the arts through the transformative role of its libraries, which serve as dynamic spaces for exploration and connection within our community, where everyone can express themselves freely, share ideas, or simply enjoy the performances of others in a supportive environment, promoting confidence and personal growth.
The before, during, and after of a Poetry Café
Every successful event requires thoughtful planning, seamless execution, and meaningful reflection. Here’s how we approached it:
Before
Planning was essential to ensure everything ran smoothly. We engaged the school leadership team early to avoid scheduling conflicts and secure support for the event. A collaborative approach made all the difference.
Key questions we asked during the planning stage included:
- Was the whole school community aware of the event?
- Was the chosen month a good time to host it?
- Who would write the script—students, library staff, or both?
- How many participants did we expect?
- Did we have a marketing strategy to generate excitement?
Advertising ahead of time was crucial to generate buzz and maximise participation.
Having everything documented, double-checked, and confirmed was crucial. We started our final preparations two to three weeks in advance, allowing time for adjustments. As the saying goes, “time planned is time saved.” However, despite our efforts, on December 6th, I realised I had forgotten to budget for refreshments! Thankfully, with quick teamwork, we resolved the problem, and the event carried on without a hitch.
During
On the day of the event, we welcomed participants warmly and encouraged them to feel free to express themselves. Doing so was at the heart of the event. Having a prepared schedule ensured structure and calm, but maintaining flexibility allowed the audience to reflect in the moment and encouraged participants to interact in a way that shaped a positive and empathetic atmosphere in the café.
The Poetry Café Menu
As this event was hosted in a café — our library, of course — what better way to present the event than with a menu? The theme for the event was gratitude, focusing on people who have made a positive impact on our lives. Here’s what was “served” creatively at our Primary event:
- “Mr. Right” by Kenn Nesbitt, shared by Sofia, a Grade 3 student who couldn’t attend but wanted her chosen poem included.
- “Precious Pets,” a collaborative poem by Grade 5 students Lea, Louisa, Binta, Jennifer, and Alexandra.
- “The Four Candles,” attributed to an unknown author.
- Stories I shared about my mum, highlighting the importance of pursuing one’s dreams.
Alongside our spoken word, “substance,” we served cookies, juice and tea which kept everyone nourished, both body and soul! Thank goodness spotting the need for snacks happened during planning—what’s a café without something delicious to enjoy?
And our young writers did not disappoint. Here is an excerpt from “Precious Pets” by our budding Grade 5 poets:
Cats are gorgeous
Sometimes they hop over fences
And sometimes they cuddle
With you till you sleep.
Dogs are loyal
Dogs are kind
They are not just pets
They are friends and family.
Hamsters are your masters even though
They don’t live long lives.
Tomorrow they will be gone,
So spend your time wisely,
And they’ll always be in your heart.
After
Reflection is a vital part of improving future events. With this in mind, we invited participants, organisers, and wider supporters to share their insights about the café, either verbally or in writing. This collaborative feedback helped us identify key areas for improvement. As library staff, we also drew conclusions to enhance upcoming events:
- Distribute invitations earlier.
- Announce the event during school assemblies.
- Involve more students across different grades.
- Double-check every aspect, from refreshments to scripts.
Looking ahead: the February Poetry Café
As we plan the next poetry café in February, we’re considering adding read-aloud poems and displaying friendship messages from our own students perhaps from other schools. We hope these initiatives will deepen our community’s appreciation for poetry while fostering connections beyond our immediate environment.
Final Thoughts
Libraries are the perfect setting for such events. And who knows, if there are other Cafes out there, maybe one day we’ll connect and share the magic of poetry together. Let’s continue to embrace growth through poetry—one verse at a time.
Irina González Maceo is the Whole School Librarian at the International School of Havana.
FEATURE IMAGE: the library at Calle 18 – with kind permission of the International School of Havana.
Support Images: kindly provided by Irina
Precious Pets: by Andrew S on Unsplash & by Ricky Kharawala on Unsplash
