Digital Poetics and Saharawi Immigrant Culture in Spain

The Saharawi immigrant community in Spain has an extremely active literary culture, particularly in the field of poetry. They have published (and often self-published) more than 14 poetic anthologies under the name “Generación de la Amistad Saharaui,” and individual members have also published numerous poetic works. Perhaps the group’s most prolific genre, however, involves diverse forms of digital texts, particularly blogs, but also ebooks, feature films, and other forms of social and new media. Their cultural contributions online have garnered high profile attention, as evidenced by their regular blog hosted by El País, Spain’s highest circulation newspaper. However, their literary presence has been hard fought, and publication obstacles with established Spanish editorial houses remain daunting for the group. This study analyzes the challenges posed by the traditional publication industry for immigrant poets in Spain, as well as the use of digital media by immigrant authors to advance their poetic and political concerns.