The Celestino Project: Transforming Homelessness into Poetry

Living on the streets may not seem poetic, yet the experiences of those without shelter often reveal profound stories. The reality of homelessness is one that transcends mere survival, capturing the essence of human experiences that often go unheard. This is the inspiration behind the poetry book Caderno de Rua, launched by Poets & Painters, featuring works by 24 homeless individuals from Lisbon and Amadora.

The book, set to launch on January 31st at 18:30 in Alcântara, showcases the poetic voices of nine women and fifteen men from various backgrounds, including Portuguese, Brazilian, Nepalese, and Mozambican. This initiative was made possible through collaboration with social intervention units like the Grupo Ativista em Tratamento (GAT) and Espaço Ímpar-Crescer.

The Inspiration Behind the Project

The project is inspired by Luís Celestino, a well-known figure among the streets of Lisbon, often seen reading peacefully amid the city's chaos. His transition from a reader to a storyteller prompted him to share his life experiences through poetry, thus giving birth to the Celestino Project.

Rui Sousa's Journey

In March 2020, Rui Sousa, a poet from the Azores, moved to Lisbon with aspirations of selling his poetry on the streets. However, the pandemic forced him into homelessness. After discovering a shelter, Rui began to interact with the homeless community, leading him to meet Celestino.

Rui learned about Celestino's interest in writing and gifted him a notebook and pens, sparking the idea of creating a poetry collection from the experiences of the homeless.

Collaboration with Young Poets

Rui's path crossed with young poets Inês and Diogo, who were involved in various poetic initiatives in Lisbon. Together, they organized poetry sessions, inviting the homeless to share their stories and transform them into poetry. Their efforts were supported through funding from the European Solidarity Corps and logistical assistance from GAT and Espaço Crescer.

The project emphasized expression and freedom rather than aesthetic judgment, ultimately culminating in the publication of Caderno de Rua, which includes heartfelt poems and images from the sessions.

The Celestino Project extends beyond poetry, inspiring a series of documentaries that capture the lives of these poets, showcasing their stories on both the page and the screen.