Jazz Poetry at Cantina Rooftop

Chris Tse is a New Zealand poet and writer from Lower Hutt. He pursued film and English literature studies at Victoria University of Wellington and later completed an MA in Creative Writing at the International Institute of Modern Letters. In 2022, Chris was honored as the 13th New Zealand Poet Laureate. His poetry, short fiction, and non-fiction have been widely published in esteemed journals, including Best New Zealand Poems, Sport, Turbine, The New Zealand Listener, and more. Notably, his first full-length poetry collection, How to be Dead in a Year of Snakes, published in 2014 by Auckland University Press, earned recognition as a finalist in the poetry category at the 2016 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, along with the Jessie Mackay Award for Best First Book of Poetry.

Supported by Creative New Zealand.

Chris Tse adalah seorang penyair dan penulis dari Lower Hutt. Ia menimba ilmu di bidang kajian film dan sastra Inggris di Victoria University of Wellington dan belakangan menyelesaikan studi Magisternya dalam Penulisan Kreatif di International Institute of Modern Letters. Pada 2022, Chris mendapatkan penghargaan sebagai New Zealand Poet Laureate ke-13. Puisi-puisi, fiksi pendek dan nonfiksi yang ia tulis telah diterbitkan secara luas di berbagai jurnal terhormat, termasuk Best New Zealand Poems, Sport, Turbine, The New Zealand Listener, dan lebih banyak lagi. Secara menonjol, kumpulan puisi pertamanya, How to be Dead in a Year of Snakes, diterbitkan pada 2014 oleh Auckland University Press, mendapatkan pengakuan sebagai finalis kategori puisi pada 2016 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, sekaligus Mackay Award for Best First Book of Poetry.

Didukung oleh Creative New Zealand.

Fred Leone is a respected community leader, proudly representing his Australian Aboriginal, Tongan, and South-Sea Islander heritage with ancestral ties to the Garawa and Butchulla Tribes. A ground-breaking artist, Fred is a Butchulla Songman and language custodian, renowned for his original performances and recordings across various genres. He is the visionary behind QLD's only Indigenous-owned record label, Impossible Odds Records. With international acclaim, Fred has toured as a featured artist with the esteemed Black Arm Band in Canada, China, Malaysia, Brazil, the UK, and Australia, and presented solo theater works in the UK. A passionate advocate for Indigenous rights, Fred's influence extends to his roles in the Australian Live Music Business Council and the Indigenous Advisory Group for the National Indigenous Music Awards.

Fred Leone adalah seorang pemimpin komunitas yang dihormati, dengan bangga mewakili latar belakang Aboriginal, Tongan dan South-Sea Islander Australianya, dengan ikatan leluhur dengan suku Garawa dan Butchulla. Seorang seniman yang inovatif, Fred adalah seorang pemandu lagu Butchulla dan pelindung bahasa lokal, yang telah mendapat pengakuan atas penampilan-penampilan serta rekaman-rekamannya yang original melintasi beragam genre. Ia adalah visioner di balik label rekaman milik masyarakat adat bernama Impossible Odds Records. Dengan pengakuan internasional yang ia dapatkan, Fred telah tampil dengan Black Arm Band yang sangat dihargai di Kanada, Cina, Malaysia, Brazil, UK, dan Australia. Seorang advokat hak-hak masyarakat adat yang penuh semangat, pengaruh Fred juga meluas kepada peranannya dalam Australian Live Music Business Council dan Indigenous Advisory Group for the National Indigenous Music Awards.

Ghayath Almadhoun, a talented poet born in Damascus in 1979, embarked on a remarkable journey from Palestine to Syria, eventually finding a home in Sweden in 2008. His poetic prowess has earned him acclaim worldwide, with his poetry collections translated into numerous languages. Ghayath’s artistic collaborations have enriched his work, sharing the spotlight with renowned artists like US artist Jenny Holzer and German musician Blixa Bargeld. Currently residing between Berlin and Stockholm, Ghayath Almadhoun continues to capture hearts with his emotive and compelling verses.

Ghayath Almadhoun, seorang penyair berbakat yang lahir di Damaskus pada 1979, menapaki sebuah perjalanan luar biasa dari Palestina ke Syria, hingga pada akhirnya berlabuh di rumah barunya di Swedia pada 2008. Kebolehan puitiknya telah mengganjarnya dengan berbagai pengakuan di seluruh dunia, dengan berbagai kumpulan puisi yang telah diterjemahkan ke dalam berbagai bahasa. Kolaborasi artistik Ghayath telah memperkaya karya-karyanya, berbagi panggung dengan para seniman ternama seperti seniman Amerika Serikat Jenny Holzer dan musisi Jerman Blixa Bargeld. Kini membagai waktunya antara Berlin dan Stockholm, Ghayath Almadhoun selalu membuat para pembacanya jatuh hati dengan syair-syairnya yang emosional dan menyita perhatian.

Jo Yang is an Australian poet, who earned the prestigious title of the 2022 Australian Poetry Slam Champion. Originally from Wurundjeri country, she later moved to become a teacher on Warumungu land in the Northern Territory. Her poetic journey began spontaneously when she attended a poetry workshop, leading her to compete in the Tennant Creek heat, the Alice Springs slam, and finally, the grand finals in Sydney. Today, Jo balances her roles as a high school teacher, podcaster, and poet, drawing significant influence from her proud Chinese heritage. Her poetry fearlessly delves into challenging topics, skillfully weaving humor and genuine connections through her powerful storytelling.

Jo Yang adalah seorang penyair Australia, yang mendapatkan gelar bergengsi sebagai 2022 Australian Poetry Slam Champion. Merupakan warga asli Wurundjeri, ia kemudian pindah ke tanah Warumungu di wilayah Utara untuk menjadi seorang guru. Secara spontan ia memulai perjalanan puitisnya ketika ia bergabung dalam sebuah lokakarya puisi, mengantarnya bertanding di Tennant Crek heat, the Alice Springs slam dan, akhirnya memasuki final akbar di Sydney. Hari ini, Jo menyeimbangkan peranannya sebagai guru sekolah, podcaster, dan penyair, menimba ilham dari warisan budaya Cina kebanggaannya. Puisi-puisinya dengan berani mengangkat masalah-masalah yang menantang, menggunakan humor dan koneksi tulus melalui teknik penceritaannya yang dahsyat.

Vamba Sherif is a novelist, essayist, and lecturer in African Literature at Leiden University. He was born in Liberia, raised in Kuwait, and now resides in the Netherlands. Sherif writes novels exploring identity, war, and migration, with works published in multiple languages. He is also a co-editor of the anthology Black: Afro-European Literature in the Netherlands and Belgium. As a sought-after speaker, he has participated in various international literary festivals. In 2021, he published his memoirs, Unprecedented Love, reflecting on his early life and experiences as a migrant.

Vamba Sherif adalah seorang penulis novel, essay, dan pengajar Sastra Afrika di Universitas Leiden. Ia lahir di Liberia, dibesarkan di Kuwait, dan kini menetap di Belanda. Sherif menulis novel-novel yang menelisik identitas, perang, migrasi, dengan karya-karya yang diterbitkan dalam beragam bahasa. Ia juga adalah co-editor dari antologi Black: Afro-European Literature in the Netherlands and Belgium. Sebagai seorang pembicara terkemuka, Sherif telah ikut serta dalam berbagai festival literasi internasional. Di tahun 2021, ia menerbitkan memoirnya yang bertajuk Unprecedented Love, berkaca pada periode awal kehidupannya dan pengalaman-pengalaman pribadinya dalam bermigrasi.