Questa Cosa Queer: queer poetry performance project debuts in Rome

The queer poetry performance project 'Questa Cosa Queer' will make its debut on June 1, 2024, at Rome Smistamento during the Meteore Fest organized by Ultraqueer. Founded by seven Italian performers—Olympia, Gabriele Bonafoni, Danna, Dario De Angelis, Daniela Falone, Mauro Lamantia, and Laura Partisani—the project aims to create safe spaces for queer expression through live performances that blend poetry with other arts. All members share experience in the Italian poetry slam circuit LIPS. The debut showcase, titled 'spazio safe,' will feature individual performances and a collective show, in collaboration with barl.ina and WOW – Incendi Spontanei. A second event is scheduled for June 11 at barl.ina, a queer exhibition space in Rome's San Lorenzo neighborhood, featuring an open assembly (also accessible online) to discuss the project's origins and its role as a new channel for artistic queer exploration, distinct from but complementary to mainstream performance poetry. barl.ina was chosen to honor its year-long support of the Queer Poetry Speaks Up! series. Following the debut, the project will tour Italy with events in Rimini, Cesena, and Florence throughout Pride Month.