Masterclass by poet Mona Kareem

Poet, journalist and activist Mona Kareem (1987) was born in Kuwait but lives in the US. This May and June she will live and write in Rotterdam as a ‘Poet in Residence’, as she will be one of the performing poets at the 50th Poetry International Festival. On 3 June she will visit EUR for a personal lecture on her history and she will read some of her poems resulting from it.

‘My body is my vehicle

I drive it recklessly like a teenager’

As a Bidoon – a member of an ethnic group that is considered stateless by Kuwait’s government and denied citizenship – she is committed in her work as a journalist to fighting the violation of civil rights. Her poetry is characterised by a distinctly female voice that gives compelling expression to political and social concerns as well as deeply personal issues, while also allowing for humour and lyricism.

More information about Poetry International can be found on their official website and Facebook page.