Untamed Tongues: Poets Sin Fronteras

Community-based organization Craft Cultura is hosting its first poetry festival, titled “Untamed Tongues: Poets Sin Fronteras,” from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the McIntyre Promenade, located outside Edinburg City Hall.

In addition to Rio Grande Valley poets, the event will also feature live music, food and vendors.

Admission to the event will be free.

Craft Cultura is an organization that focuses on hosting events that center on education and social justice through artistic mediums. The creator of Craft Cultura, Misael Ramirez, a UTRGV Mexican American Studies alumnus, said the roots of the organization stem from his experience as a second-generation Mexican American.

“Growing up, I wanted to make sense of where I fit in the world,” Ramirez said. “I was always pulling from TV shows and books, but never saw myself reflected anywhere. I want my community to be shown in an honest way, not in a stereotypical way. I wanted to create something that represented us.”

He said he started the organization not only for his community, but also to have other voices heard.  

“The Craft is a part of the Chicano community, showing solidarity with other movements as well across the country,” Ramirez said. “This past summer, with the tragedies, such as the assassinations of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, a lot of people wanted to help with the movement and learn more about how to help.”

For many people who attend these events, it is the first time they encounter this kind of interactive education upon their own free will, and Ramirez said he is proud that he brought this to South Texas. 

“I’m so glad the Craft has been people’s intro to this kind of work,” he said. “The Craft educates people and does it in a fun way simultaneously.”

Although Craft Cultura is growing at a fast rate, Ramirez said he is trying to get the word out to people to get them involved. 

“We still have a lot of work to do and a lot of people we haven’t reached yet,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that aren’t on [social media] and I ask myself: ‘How do I reach them?’ We can’t forget about the folks from previous generations that paved the way for us.”

Ramirez said the best way to get involved is to keep up with the organization’s social media and website at craftcultura.com. 

“Craft Cultura was made to be a synonym for community,” he said. “We hope to teach that all the education you need can be found all around you.”