Haidu Kowski presents "FOLK LORE": the book that transforms live writing into a literary experience

Haidu Kowski presented Folk Lore, a book that transforms live writing into a literary experience, during a discussion with +Perfil, the new channel of Editorial Perfil. The author and cultural producer described his work as stemming directly from his long-running project, Jam de Escritura, which he has produced since 2007. This event invites audiences to read alongside writers in real time, creating a unique dynamic where the audience becomes part of the creative process rather than merely observing it. The concept behind Folk Lore emerged from this format, which Kowski explained originated from Jam de Escritura. He emphasized that the book was born from these live writing sessions, which challenge traditional notions of literature by making the act of creation visible. In these events, the writer writes in front of an audience, accompanied by music and visual elements, offering a performance-like atmosphere. Unlike watching a film, participants engage in reading what is being written in the moment, blurring the lines between creator and observer. Kowski described the experience as akin to cinema, but with a key difference: instead of viewing a finished product, the audience participates in its creation. Writing occurs in real time before an audience, and the process is enriched by musical accompaniment and illustrations. This approach makes the creative act transparent, allowing both the writer and the public to witness the unfolding of a narrative. For Kowski, this openness is central to the artistic process, transforming the act of writing into a shared experience. Over nearly two decades, Kowski’s involvement with Jam de Escritura led him to participate in literary events across multiple countries. He recalled more than 300 such events worldwide, including the opening of the Oaxaca Book Fair and the closing of the Guadalajara International Book Fair, as well as performances in cities like Barcelona. These experiences inspired him to compile writings from notable authors and develop an essay exploring the nature of live writing. He noted that even when someone sits down with a preconceived idea, the act of writing involves an element of spontaneity. Kowski argued that the uncertainty inherent in the writing process is one of its greatest attractions. He stated that the beauty of literature lies in the unpredictability of the outcome, in the ability to surprise oneself through the text. Folk Lore collects some of these reflections and explores what happens when readers witness the birth of a literary work. According to Kowski, the audience becomes an immediate reader of a piece, and the writer is equally exposed to their scrutiny. He highlighted the contrast between presenting a polished, edited text and revealing a raw, unfiltered version. While one might be highly corrected and refined, the other captures the immediacy of creation. Kowski clarified that neither form is inherently better or worse, only that the latter reflects the actual moment of writing. This tension between spontaneity, exposure, and creativity forms the core of the experience that gave rise to Folk Lore.