Cultural highlights: Peruvian poetry and Madonna-Pausini musical connection

Peruvian poet Gabs Gabriel Valdivia has released “Pastel,” a poetry collection that explores the boundaries between poetry and pornography. Valdivia states that his use of explicit language is intended to expose power structures, capitalism, and the publishing industry rather than simply to provoke instinctual reactions. He describes his mission as “desnudar la poesía” (to strip poetry bare) and views social customs as devices of control over certain bodies.

In the music industry, a notable artistic connection is highlighted between Madonna and Laura Pausini. The song “Me abandono a ti” (the Italian version of “Mi abbandono a te”) from Pausini’s 2004 album Escucha originated from Madonna’s 1998 sessions for the album Ray of Light. Originally titled “Like a flower,” the track was gifted by Madonna to Pausini after she sought a voice outside the Anglo-Saxon market. The collaboration was managed entirely via email, with Madonna providing feedback and approval on the Italian singer's progress.