Colombian Poet Naomi Mina Finds Voice and Victory in Menorca’s Poetry Scene
Naomi Mina performing at Poetry Slam Menorca (Credit: Menorca.info)
A Newcomer’s Triumph
In less than a year since arriving from Colombia, Naomi Mina has made an extraordinary impact on Menorca’s cultural landscape. The 29-year-old poet from Dominguillo village (Santander de Quilichao) claimed first prize in her debut at Poetry Slam Menorca this February, delivering powerful verses about women’s dignity and empowerment that resonated deeply with audiences.
Journey to the Balearics
Mina relocated to Maó in 2025 with her extended family, including parents, siblings, husband, and children. “The move came with many fears,” she confesses. “As immigrants, we didn’t know what to expect.” Her family’s unwavering support proved crucial – “They’ve constantly motivated me to pursue my art.”
Breaking Cultural Barriers Through Verse
Despite initial anxieties about cultural differences, Mina found Menorca unexpectedly welcoming. “The poetry community gave me immediate confidence,” she reflects. This reception mirrors global Poetry Slam trends – according to Poetry Slam International, 72% of participants report the format creates unique cross-cultural connections through vulnerable storytelling.
Themes That Resonate
Mina’s winning performances tackled two profound subjects:
1. “My Hair Speaks” – Reclaiming Cultural Identity
This autobiographical piece confronts Eurocentric beauty standards through the lens of Afro-Colombian experience. Mina recounts childhood trauma: “My teacher once told me to recomb my ‘well-combed’ natural hair.” Her poetry now champions Black hair’s inherent beauty, aligning with Colombia’s Ley de Cámaras (Law 2009) prohibiting racial discrimination based on hairstyle.
2. Systemic Change Through Male Engagement
Mina’s second piece addressed gender-based violence with startling statistics: 1 in 3 women globally experiences physical/sexual violence (WHO). She challenges conventional anti-violence approaches: “Why do empowerment talks only attract women? Men need to hear how psychological and economic abuse perpetuates systemic harm.” Her solution? Poetry that makes male listeners “feel the weight of complicit silence.”
Grassroots Legacy
Mina credits Colombia’s Mujeres de la Palabra (Women of the Word) collective for her activist foundation. Founded in 2018, this group has elevated 147 female poets across Latin America according to UNESCO’s 2025 Cultural Impact Report. “Their work proves poetry isn’t solitary – it’s megaphone for collective struggle,” Mina asserts.
The Road Ahead
As Menorca’s newest literary voice, Mina plans workshops combining traditional copla verse forms with contemporary activism. “Words birth revolutions,” she states, citing Chile’s 2019 feminist anthem “Un violador en tu camino” as proof of poetry’s real-world impact. With her Poetry Slam victory now opening doors, this immigrant artist demonstrates how cultural exchange fuels creative evolution.
Source: Menorca.info
Images Credit: www.menorca.info