You can discover literature through various
ways. One extraordinary experience can be offered by a popular literary competition. The event “Poetry Slam” took place for the first time in Chicago in 1984. Since
then it has spread all over the world and amuses not only enthusiasts of literary
works but also those who have not discovered their own interest in poems and short
stories before. On stage, particularly young amateur poets present their self-written
texts, supplementing them with performative elements such as music or special
lighting effects. In the end, the artists and their performances are judged by a
critical audience which selects the winner.
There are several well-rounded types of
competition in existence. Whereas in an “Open Slam,” the most common one, everyone
who wishes is allowed to participate, whereas poets taking part in an “Invitational
Slam” require an invitation. In addition to that, a “Theme Slam” sets a
particular topic in advance for all performances. It can also require a
specific genre or other formal constraints such as improvisation or contemporary
themes of general interest. Occasionally, artists may be allowed to ignore
the traditional rules of “Poetry Slam.” This fact distinguishes the “Theme Slam”
from other slam events.
Since such performances ask for a certain form
of self-expression, “Poetry Slam” has become more and more popular, especially
among youngsters. Many organizations hosting literary events and festivals encourage teenagers to express their feelings, ideas and thoughts both on paper
and on stage and contribute to the “Youth Poetry Slam Movement.” One of its
prominent supporters, Saul Williams, defines the importance of literary slams
for teenagers’ lives while referring to another significant manner of
expression:
[H]ip-hop filled a tremendous void for me
and my friends growing up... The only thing that prevented all the young boys
in the black community from turning into Michael Jackson, from all of us
bleaching our skin, from all of us losing it, just losing it, was hip-hop. That
was the only counter-existence in the mainstream media. That was essential, and
in that same way I think poetry fills a very huge void today [among] youth. And
I guess I count myself among the youth.[1]
Poetry Slam takes you on a journey to a
world full of entertainment, breathtaking moments and a fascination you cannot
resist. Experience a facet of literature which is not old-fashioned and dusty
but young, sparkling and lively!
Feel free to join various slam events in Hamburg on http://www.myslam.net/de/poetry-slam-calendar!
[1] Aptowicz, Cristin O'Keefe. (2008). Words in Your Face:
A Guided Tour Through Twenty Years of the New York City Poetry Slam. Chapter
26: What the Heck Is Going On Here; The Bowery Poetry Club Opens (Kinda) for
Business. Soft Skull Press, 288
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