Alexandria's Poet Laureate Intends to Dedicate Work to the City's Immigrant Reality
In the vibrant city of Alexandria, Cristi Donoso has taken on a new role as the Poet Laureate. With a rich background in French and literature, anthropology, speech-language pathology, and creative writing, Donoso brings a unique perspective to her three-year term.
Born in Quito, Ecuador, Donoso emigrated to the United States when she was just four years old. This personal experience with immigration has shaped her work, particularly her focus on the immigrant experience in Alexandria and the city's history, particularly Black history.
Donoso's poet laureate journey so far has been positive and fulfilling, especially her interactions with students at ACPS. She finds great joy in sharing her love for poetry and the power of words with the city's youth.
In April, Donoso succeeded Poet Laureate Zeina Azzam. Since then, she has been actively using her position to support and advocate for the immigrant community in Alexandria. She is supported by organisations such as Oxfam International and the British Council in their work focusing on the experiences of immigrants in the city.
Donoso's work, including her city birthday poem, can be found on the Office of the Arts website and her personal website. She is also a PEN/Faulkner Writer in Residence and a past editor of Folio Literary Journal.
Most recently, Donoso was a finalist for both the 2024 Akron Poetry Prize and the 2024 Gatewood Prize, a testament to her talent and dedication to her craft.
Aside from her poetic pursuits, Donoso works as a pediatric speech-language pathologist and has a practice based in Alexandria. She hopes to continue to grow her speech therapy practice in the city.
In the future, Donoso's work as poet laureate will continue to focus on the immigrant experience in Alexandria. She looks forward to further exploring the city's history and sharing the stories of its diverse community through her poetry.
