The Foundation Supports Matt Sedillo at International Poetry Festival of Havana
The Arts and Cultural Bridge Foundation was honored to support our 2025 Cultural Exchange Artist, acclaimed Chicano poet, author, activist, and radio host Matt Sedillo, as he represented the United States at the International Poetry Festival of Havana—a global gathering held in tribute to Cuban literary icon José Martí and presided over by the renowned Cuban poet Nancy Morejón.
As part of the International Meeting of Poets for Peace, Sedillo joined poets from across the globe to affirm poetry’s enduring power to advance justice and human dignity.
“To stand among poets in Havana, in the spirit of Martí and Morejón, was to witness the unifying power of words beyond borders,”
— Matt Sedillo
Sedillo, is widely described as “the best political poet in America” by investigative journalist Greg Palast and “the poet laureate of the struggle” by historian Paul Ortiz.
“In the pages of Ase Poetry Slam, Cuban Slam poets Anthology, culture and history align, giving readers rewards of truth and conviction. Brought together with sensitive translations the collection widens understanding between islands, continents, language and feelings. Edited by Luz de Cuba and Paul S. Flores with El Martillo Press, Ase Poetry Slam is an enormous accomplishment conveying literary art and expression from writers that need to be heard.” — Francisco Letelier
The Foundation provided funding for the translation of the poems into English as well as securing support from actor/activist Danny Glover and visual artist/writer Francisco Letelier.
During his visit in Havana, the Foundation also arranged a special meeting between Sedillo and Olympic wrestling legend Mijaín López, to whom Sedillo presented a poem written for the Paris Cultural Olympiad, where it was featured in French which can be viewed at: Video | Facebook.
Winning Olympic footage of López at can be viewed at: 'Living legend' Mijain Lopez makes final in search of record fifth-straight gold medal | NBC Sports . López, a five-time Olympic champion, was recently named Best Male Athlete of 2024 by the Federation of Sports Journalists of America.
The meeting celebrated a symbolic and moving convergence of artistic and athletic excellence.
“Meeting Mijaín López—one of the greatest athletes of our time—was a celebration of Cuban excellence and global solidarity,”
— Matt Sedillo
Matt Sedillo serves as:
- Director, World Poetry Movement USA
- CEO, El Martillo Press
- Literary Director, Mexican Cultural Institute of Los Angeles
- Host on KPFK 90.7FM
- Poetry instructor at Homeboy Arts Academy and in California prisons
His published works include:
- Moving Leaves of Grass (2019)
- City on the Second Floor (2022)
- Mexican Style (2025) – all from FlowerSong Press
- Our Corazones Are Still Burning (2024, in Spanish) – from Chicanxs Sin Fronteras
His honors include the Dante’s Laurel Award (2022) and the Joe Hill Labor Poetry Award (2017).
“I am deeply grateful to the Arts and Cultural Bridge Foundation for supporting my ongoing projects in Cuba. No blockade can stop the song of the people. The future belongs to those who believe in bridges, not walls.” — Matt Sedillo
