POETRY AND PERFORMANCE IV
De-Authoritarianism and Indisciplinarity
April 22 to 24, 2026 | FLUP and Casa Comum – University of Porto
Call for Papers
Building on the common foundation of the three previous editions – the investigation of relationships between poetry and performance in their critical, aesthetic, and political dimensions – Poetry and Performance IV now shifts its focus to poetry as a field of aesthetic de-authoritarianism, formal indisciplinarity, and political provocation. While earlier editions sought to affirm the experimental and critical vitality of this intersection, this new call deepens that ambition by bringing together artists, researchers, and poets working from the poetics of irreverence and symbolic rupture with the pacts of legitimacy that regulate language, the body, and authorship.
Accordingly, this event seeks to experiment with indisciplinary forms of writing and performance that challenge the modes of authority in poetic discourse. We are particularly interested in poetry as a performative gesture, as embodied critique, as intermedial experimentation, and as a language of confrontation with the normative apparatuses of culture and politics.
Proposals are welcome on (but not limited to) the following topics:
● Philosophical-political notions of the performative (Butler, Agamben) and the politics of art (Rancière) as critical tools in the poetic field;
● Relations between marginality, periphery, and literary experimentalism in contemporary poetic scenes (Portugal, Brazil, and other contexts);
● Parody, pastiche, and sabotage of hate speech and hegemonic languages;
● Unlearning and the refusal of mastery as a literary gesture (Pimenta, O’Neill, Cesariny, Adília, among others);
● Poetics that challenge or reconfigure the fascist triad “God, Homeland, Family” in articulation with linguistic prejudice, racialisation, police violence, femicide, immigration policies, and other regimes of oppression;
● “De-authoritarianism” as an aesthetic device: erasure of authorship, derision of poetry, expansion of the poetic beyond verbal language;
● Archives, materialities, and the circulation of “de-authoritarian” performative poetry across multiple media and contexts;
● Borders and intersections between poetry, performance, visual arts, sound, cinema, artivism, and hacktivism;
● Poetic forms that embrace cliché, noise, or excess as a critique of the language of authority.
Continuing the tradition of previous editions, Poetry and Performance IV will include a series of activities dedicated toa figure whose poetic practice has singularly shaped the intersection of poetry, performance, and aesthetic experimentation in Portugal. This year, the honouree will be Alberto Pimenta.
A poet, essayist, and performer, Alberto Pimenta has built a body of work that traverses genres, styles, and expressive devices – from poetry to the essay, from performance to video art – systematically challenging the boundaries of language and authority. This tribute celebrates the critical and creative vitality of one of the “great living poets” of our time, and offersan opportunity to place his work in dialogue with other poetic experiments around de-authoritarianism and indisciplinarity.
Confirmed keynote speakers
– R. Carpenter (University of Leeds)
– Nuno Miguel Neves (Univ. Belgrado)
– Gustavo Silveira (Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais)
Submissions
We welcome proposals for individual presentation papers (20 minutes), performances*, visual or sound essays, collaborative projects, and poetic-performative experiments. Proposals must include:
● Title;
● Abstract (up to 300 words);
● Biographical note (up to 100 words).
*For performance proposals, in addition to the title, abstract, and biographical note, please include a clear description of technical requirements (equipment, space, set-up time, and other relevant conditions) to enable timely assessment of logistical and financial feasibility.
Deadline for submission: December 15, 2025
Send to: poeperfo@gmail.com
Working languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English, French, Italian.
Organisation
Poetry and Performance IV is organised by the Margarida Losa Institute for Comparative Literature, in partnership with CODA – Centre for Digital Culture and Innovation, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Porto (FLUP), and Casa Comum – Rectorate of the University of Porto.
Organising Committee
Margarida Losa Institute for Comparative Literature:
Lúcia Evangelista,Inês Cardoso, Sandra Guerreiro Dias, Diogo Marques
Registration fees
• €110 (early – until 31 Jan) | €160 (standard – until 15 Feb)
• Students: €80 (early – until 31 Jan) | €100 (standard – until 15 Feb)
Payment for registration must be made via this link: https://www.letras.up.pt/si/subscriptions?event=124
PDF version of the Call: