Jova Bagioli Reyes is a queer, neurodiverse immigrant hailing from Colombia and Chile. As a poet and musician, they are heavily inspired by the long history of struggle of Abya Yala (so-called Latin America) and so their work deals with themes of decolonization, autonomy, and liberation.

Jova Bagioli Reyes says: “For me being a city poet means having my reality as a queer immigrant in Manchester be acknowledged. My voice is one of hundreds of thousands that make up this city and it feels both cathartic and intimate to have it be heard.”

 

Jova was a Manchester City Poet between 2021-2024, and in that time created the following works:

‘This Here’ by Anjum Malik
Spanish Translation

‘In Prisms of Knowledge’ by Ali Al-Jamri
Spanish Translation

Hosted Catalan Poets at Manchester Poetry Library
With thanks to Barcelona City of Literature, this was an evening of music and poetry with Catalan Poet Mireia Calafell performing her stunning work ‘Varosha’ accompanied by musician Björt Rùnars.

‘The Streets Remember’ poetry film
Manchester Literature Festival and Manchester City of Literature co-commissioned Jova to create new work inspired by protest and resistance. From the pro-democracy and anti-poverty protesters of Peterloo to a long history of protests against the elite in Colombia to the student protests which became a general strike in Piñera’s Chile, Manchester and Jova Bagioli Reyes’ homelands have a rich history as places where people come together to fight injustice and demand change.

‘Unbelonging – Despertenencia’
Commissioned for World Poetry Day 2024

‘We Are Butterflies Forever in Flight’ by Anjum Malik
Spanish Translation

‘The Roads That Lead to Edinburgh’ Group Poem and Translation
Commissioned to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Cities of Literature Network and Edinburgh City of Literature

Slamovision 2024
Performance