Pablo Llorente Requena Known as the Poet Pablowskia from Alicante Makes a Mark in European Poetry Slam
Pablowskia, a 36 year old poet from Alicante, recently earned a new title at the European Poetry Slam Championship. The final took place in Rome last weekend, and his victory guarantees him a spot in the next championship round. The world final is scheduled to be held in Rio de Janeiro in October 2023, and this win places him firmly on the stage for that global showcase.
The competition is a contemporary oral poetry contest that often unfolds as a spoken monologue with no props or scripted acting. Contestants must keep their recitation under three minutes, can use only voice and body, and must perform text that is their own. Judges rely solely on the audience to evaluate the performance, focusing on delivery, rhythm, and impact.
Pablowskia won with a piece titled Shadow and Shrapnel, in which he addresses the Spanish Civil War and the tragedy of Guernica, invoking Picasso as a literary reference. After his official winning performance, he shared an unscripted piece about Petrer and the pride of being from Alicante. He is celebrated for a deep voice and clear diction, and he describes his work as social in nature. His performance blends abundant visuals, metaphor heavy language, and precise sound and pronunciation, building toward a powerful crescendo that resonates with the audience.
Based in Barcelona for several years, Pablowskia competed in Poetry Slam Alicante, a Spanish championship created by Ágora Reix in 2018. He faced about thirty participants and earned a pass to the European championship where the top two performers from the semi finals advanced. An Italian rival and Pablowskia both earned wins, described by him as one of the happiest days of his life. These results highlight his rising profile in the European poetry scene.
The hardworking poet has been invited to readings and events in cities like Madrid and Mallorca. He holds a Fine Arts degree from Miguel Hernández University and works as an art teacher. He also paints professionally in Barcelona and leads poetry and painting workshops for day care centers and mental health groups, reflecting the social dimension of his art.
Among his published works are Bohemian Poems, a self edited collection; The Sweet Taste of Pessimism; A Swallow Among Reptiles, part of the Mosaic Collection; Lines Written on a Mattress Bomb, also in the Mosaic Collection; and Swallows Hegemony, a self published volume. These titles reveal a sustained engagement with memory, conflict, and resilience, presented through a distinctive performative voice that has found an ever-widening audience.