Join the City of Worcester’s Poets Laureate, Juan Matos and Adael Mejia, for an afternoon of poetry. Q&A to follow. In celebration of National Poetry Month, this program is hosted in partnership between the Worcester Public Library and the City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division. For ages 16+.

Juan Matos earned a Master's Degree in bilingual education at Worcester State University and went on to teach Spanish Literature and ESL for 32 years, the last 22 of which in Worcester Public Schools. During this time, he wrote and published 12 poetry books and anthologies, took part in local and international literary festivals and founded several literary groups and workshops.

Adael Mejia's father was a teacher in Ecuador and would bring young Adael to school, instructing him to practice his ABCs and write stories. As he grew older, Adael also discovered a love of theatre, dance, music, art and performing. Following his graduation from Burncoat High, Adael joined the City's first Create 508 program, where he found a passion for developing youth artists and growing the community. Adael looks forward to working with young people, including those in mental health and rehabilitation programs, in his two-year term as Youth Poet Laureate.