Central Nova News

The City of Alexandria has announced the appointment of Maria Cristina (Cristi) Donoso as the new Poet Laureate. Donoso, who follows Zeina Azzam, will officially take over when Azzam's tenure concludes in April 2025.

Donoso is an Ecuadorian American whose work has been featured in several notable publications, such as Pleiades, Waxwing, and The Cincinnati Review. Her notable achievements include being a finalist for the 2024 Akron Poetry Prize and the 2024 Gatewood Prize. She also served as a former PEN/Faulkner Writer in Residence.

Born in Quito and now a resident of Alexandria, Donoso’s poetry often touches on themes of migration, girlhood, grief, and motherhood. She is committed to promoting the accessibility of art in both personal and public life. Apart from her literary accomplishments, Donoso has worked for 14 years as a pediatric speech-language pathologist.

Her educational background includes a B.A. in French Language and Literature and Anthropology from the University of Virginia, an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Gallaudet University, and an MFA in Creative Writing from American University.

As one of her first official duties as Poet Laureate, Donoso will lead the "Poem in Your Pocket Day" event on Thursday, April 24, at the Athenaeum in Alexandria. The event begins at 6:30 p.m., featuring a formal program at 7 p.m., and will include performances by the winners of the 2025 DASHing Words in Motion poetry contest.

The Poet Laureate program, reinstated in 2007, aims to promote a love for poetry and creative expression. It also encourages creative writing and literacy through poetry. Former Poets Laureate of Alexandria include Wendi Kaplan, Mary McElveen, and other noted individuals.

More information can be found on the City’s Literary Programs webpage. The city also provides free interpretation and translation services, and accommodations for disabilities can be requested by contacting relevant services as noted in the official announcement.