Manlio Argueta. Courtesy www.manlioargueta.com

Poetry is thriving in the Mission. Alejandro Murguia, one of the founders of Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, has been named poet laureate of San Francisco, the Lunada poetry series is in full swing every full moon at Galeria de la Raza, and Acción Latina has teamed up with Talleres de Poesia for an exciting series of literary events.

Beginning April 14, the Poesía Revuelta/Mixed Poetry Series will take place on the patio of Acción Latina›s offices at 2958 24th Street from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It will continue every second Sunday of the month, highlighting the abundance of talent that our community has to offer, with poets ranging from local favorites to international visitors.

Jorge Argueta, founder of Poesía Revuelta, explained the historical significance of the literary arts along the 24th Street Cultural Corridor.

“24th Street is a place where poetry has lived for many years,” he said. “Starting on Mission all the way down to Potrero, there have been many poetry series going on here throughout the years—in support of Nicaragua, El Salvador, Central America, all over. And El Tecolote has always been in support of this. This Mixed Poetry Series is an important continuation of that.”

The first installment of Poesía Revuelta will also kick off the international tour of acclaimed Salvadoran poet Manlio Argueta, who will be visiting several libraries and universities on his literary visit to the United States. Argueta is the director of the National Public Library of El Salvador. Argueta will also be appearing April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Mission Street offices of Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (2969 Mission St. near 26th Street) for a poetry reading with Alejandro Murguia, Leticia Hernández, Francisco X. Alarcón, Nina Serrano, Jorge Argueta and more. The $10 donation will benefit the Flor y Canto festivals both in San Francisco and El Salvador.

“Manlio Argueta is such an important figure because he’s a man of letters throughout his life,” said Jorge Argueta. “He has done so much; he is a writer, a community organizer, a political activist, novelist and poet.”

Poesía Revuelta will culminate in September with the Flor y Canto Festival, an outdoor street festival that will also celebrate the release of a poetry anthology sponsored by Acción Latina. The anthology and the festival, will feature prominent poets from the community who have collaborated with El Tecolote over the last 42 years.

The anthology will also feature the winners of an Acción Latina-sponsored youth poetry contest, who will be chosen by a panel of community poets. The poetry contest is now open to youth who are interested in learning more about the local literary arts community.

For more information on Acción Latina’s big year in poetry visit, or call Acción Latina offices, 2958 24th St., 415-648-1045.