International Call for Poets – “Building Peace”

Poets, writers, and lovers of the written word are warmly invited to take part in a unique international artistic initiative that brings together poetry, memory, and collective expression.

The project, “Building Peace”, is conceived by Italian artist Marco Nereo Rotelli in collaboration with the Piccolo Museo della Poesia Oratorio di Zamberto. Known for his evocative use of light and language in public spaces, Rotelli continues his long-standing exploration of the relationship between poetry, landscape, and human experience.

Set in the historically rich town of Gibellina, the project draws inspiration from a place marked by both tragedy and artistic rebirth. After the devastating 1968 Belice earthquake, Gibellina was transformed into an open-air laboratory of contemporary art. At its heart lies Burri's Cretto, a monumental land artwork by Alberto Burri. This vast white concrete structure preserves the memory of the destroyed city through a network of cracks—lines that now speak as silent witnesses of history.

“Building Peace” does not seek to erase these scars. Instead, it embraces them as a language. Peace, within this vision, is not a fixed state but a continuous, conscious act—an ongoing dialogue between past and future. Poetry becomes a fleeting light that does not cover the ruins, but gently moves through them.

Call for Submissions

Poets from all over the world, writing in any language, are invited to submit original poems dedicated to the theme of peace.

Submission guidelines:

- Send your poem in Word format

- Include the title (if applicable)

- Add your full name (name and surname)

- Email your submission to: sabrinadecanio7@gmail.com

- Deadline: May 24, 2026

Selected works will become part of a powerful collective installation at Burri’s Cretto. In this space, poetry will transform the very surface of the land—cracks will turn into lines, silence into voice, and memory into presence.

This international project will gather a chorus of poetic voices, where each word exists not as permanence, but as an event—alive, breathing, and shared.

For poets seeking to contribute to a meaningful global dialogue through art and language, “Building Peace” offers a rare and profound opportunity.

Organisational board: Sabrina De Canio Co-Director General and Director of the International Section Piccolo Museo della Poesia Oratorio di Zamberto