We can say dispassionately that in poetry as well as in other artistic fields, women have been confined to subordinate roles as muse, confidant and sympathizer. A lot can be said about the derogatory connotations of the word “poetess.” Whether or not “women’s poetry” exists is not an issue here. Instead, the aim of the project is to illuminate the contribution of women poets throughout history and their remarkable presence in contemporary writing. This could also be the occasion to consider the representations of women in the poetic imagination far beyond the stereotypes of celebratory romance.

The annual French poetry festival “Printemps des poètes” (“Spring of Poets”) will be held at the Alliance Française de Manille at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 2010. (209 Nicanor Garcia St., Makati City)