The XLIII World Congress of Poets, took place from November 20th to 25th. in the ancient
city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, presided by our dear friend, Dr. Sethu Kumanan, under
the motto “Rhythms of Harmony”.
Around 60 poets from 12 countries, -France, Hungary, Ecuador, Romania, South Africa,
Israel, Japan, United Kingdom/Peru, New Zealand, United States, Mexico and India-,
gathered to share and write together the pages of this beautiful congress.
A warm and joyful welcome at Madurai´s airport was given by President Kumanan and his
congress team, which made all of us feel like in home.
An awesome opening ceremony at the World Tamil Sangam, Madurai, took place in which
we enjoyed beautiful Indian dances and videos of landscapes and of the ancient places that
were scheduled to be visited during the congress.
A significant Lighting of Lamp ceremony by the dignitaries took place, and after this, the
welcome addressed by Dr. Sethu Kumanan, President of XLIII WCP and Dr. María
Eugenia Soberanis, President of WCP. Is worth highlighting the presence of special guest,
Thavathiru Kundrakudi Adigalar and distinguished members of the presidium: Dr.
Achyuta Samanta, Former MP & Founder, Kitt Group of Institutions, Odisha; Chevalier
Kalaimamani Dr. V.G. Santhosan, Chairman VGP Group of Companies; Dr. M. Avvai Arul,
Director of Tamil Development & International Department, Tamil Nadu; Dr. Istvan Turczi,
WCP 2nd Vicepresident and Dr. Patricia Garza Soberanis WCP Secretary General.
Distinguished poets were recipients of the Honorary degree of Dr. of Literature granted by
the World Academy of Arts and Culture: Dr. Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy (India), Dr. Zmira
Poran Zion (Israel), Dr. Aurelio Maldonado Aguilar (Ecuador), Dr. Doc Drumheller
(New Zealand). The Presitential Medal was awarded to Dr. Clara Luz Montoya Lagarda
(México).
Dr. Rita Malhotra, President of Poetry Across Cultures, India, gave an introduction of
Theme through Women´s Poetry and the vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr Meera
Murugesan, Principal of Soka Ikeda College of Arts and Science for Women.
World Congress of Poets
XLIII WORLD CONGRESS OF POETS - INDIA 2024
NEWSLETTER
There were more than 100 participants in English, Spanish and Tamil Language poetry
readings, and a great achievement of this congress was that more than 100 Indian students
wrote poetry specially for this congress, receiving a Diploma after the presentation of their
own Anthology Students Rhythm, launched by Sister Isabella Rajakumari, Principal of
Holy Cross College.
The 43rd WCP commemorative Anthology Rhythms of Harmony, was
released in a very warm celebration. Book presentations included:
Through the prism of Time Dr. Rita Malhotra; De
Espuma y Mar/Foam and Sea, Patricia Garza
Soberanis; Finding Krishnna- Mr. Ajesh Suresh; If
Only You Were Here, Istvan Turczi and Sangeeta
Gupta; Fuego, Vol II, WCP Literary Journal by
editor in chief, Doc Drumheller, who presented
Catalyst, an international poetry magazine edited in
New Zealand for more than 20 years, where poetry
of WCP members is included; My Shades, María Eugenia Soberanis
released by Jacob Isaac; An special address of Mr. Constantin Harabor,
Wash your Hands wear a mask, by Dr. Naina Rao Adhalya, Thamilnattin Thavappudalvar
Kamarajark, Kavingar Ravi Bhrarathi, Thirukkural Puthiya Perurai, Justice Pughazhendi,
Tamilannai Naanmani Malai, Dr. Kavingar Meignani Pravakarababu.
We visited The Gandhi Museum and the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai and traveled
to Rameswaram, where we visited Dhanuskodi, enjoying beautiful sea views and Abdul
Kalam National Memorial, then arrived to Karaikudi to visit Sethu Bhaskara Agricultural
College and Research Foundation, where we had a warm welcome. Beautiful farm animals
along the road, a flag raise ceremony of all the participants countries, we planted a tree on
each poet name, and the opening of the Poetry Forest, enjoyed delicious Indian food, and the
surprise to be dressed in the Indian sari outfit for ladies, and typical Indian men´s wear.
The presentation of the 44th World Congress
of Poets to be held in Monterrey, Mexico
from 21 to the 25th of September 2025 was
displayed by Pilar Martínez Nandín,
President of the congress and Elda Laura
Cerda from the Organizing Committee,
with the invitation from Maricarmen
Martinez, Secretary of Tourism of the
State of Nuevo León welcoming the poets
to gather in Monterrey 2025. Monterrey is
the second most important city in México,
an industrial and business metropolis that
combines the flavor of art, culture and
natural beauties. The website of the 44th WCP will be available at
https://www.worldcongressofpoets.com/ in February 2025.
The Closing Ceremony was full of love, as all the details of this
congress. Dr. Muthusami Kumaran (United States) was recipient of
the Honorary degree of Dr. of Humanities granted by the World
Academy of Arts and Culture.
English Poetry Contest winners were announced and in addition to the
Diploma they received $250 USD to the winner of First Place; $150
USD to the winner of Second Place and $100 USD to the winner of
Third Place.
The winners were: 1st Place, Gopal Lahri (India),
for the poem Alpha Centauri, 2nd Place: Mara
Yudith Abdala Torres (México), for the poem
Resonance in my desert; 3rd Place: Clara Luz
Montoya Lagarda, (México), for the poem
Novena in the afternoon, Is it afternoon time?
Dr Rita Malhotra -mathematician, poet, essayist and translator (French-
Englis)-, received a Diploma for her support as judge of the English poetry
contest.
From our arrival up to the last
moment we could feel the warmth
of our Indian poet friends, new
faces are now familiar and close to
our hearts, new verses inspired and
touched our souls, we are very
grateful to Dr. Sethu Kumanan
and his extraordinary organizing
committee, for the magnificent congress and such hard work in a short time, standing for
poetry and brotherhood. Thank you, dear Dr. Sethu Kumanan and thank you,
unforgettable India.
We see you in Monterrey, México 2025.
With love,
Patricia Garza Soberanis
WCP Secretary General