- Author: Ángel Martínez
- Location: Madrid, Spain – Ateneo
- Date: March 4, 2024
- Photographer: Francesco Militello Mirto
Ángel Martínez’s new book, “Semillas de amapola. Poesía climática, fotografía y otras reflexiones”, aims to encourage critical reflection on some of today’s major issues, including climate change, historical memory, war, the pandemic and human relationships. Presented at the Ateneo de Madrid, the historic cultural institution founded in 1835, the volume marks a new stage in the Andalusian author’s literary journey following Desvelos. Martínez combines everyday stories, emotions and unrequited love with an increasing focus on contemporary social and environmental transformations. The title symbolically evokes poppy seeds as both an element of reflection and calm, and as a metaphor for human fragility and the impact of climate phenomena on collective life. The author describes his writing as “climate poetry”, rooted in the relationship between human beings, nature, biodiversity and memory. Born in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, in Andalusia, and descending from a family of political exiles who fled to Mexico, Martínez also links the image of poppy fields to the painful memory of Spain’s desaparecidos. Published by Kafkian, the book also includes photographs taken by the author to provide a visual dimension to the poems. During the presentation, moderator Farid Othman-Bentria Ramos described “Andalusism” as a humanistic way of inhabiting the world beyond territorial boundaries. Several poems were read by Spanish actress Lucía Álvarez, who stressed the role of art and poetry as tools for social engagement. Cristina Narbona, president of the PSOE, also attended the event, arguing that poetry can help bring new perspectives to the debate on climate change. Closing the presentation, Martínez highlighted the need to recover empathy and sensitivity in order to address social inequality, including at the political level.
By Francesco Militello Mirto – EmmeReports