Pedro Pietri (1944-2004) was (is) one of the greatest representatives of the Nuyorican poetry movement, arguably the most important contribution made by Puerto Rican Diaspora to US literature. The self-appointed Reverend of the Church of Our Lady of Tomatoes was a fixutre of Lower East Side's literary scene from the late 1960s until his death. Last night's tribute, organized by Institut Ramon Llul of Catalonia at the Nuyoricans Poets Café (of which Pietri was a founding member, alongside his pals Miguel Piñero and Miguel Algarín), fully lived up to Pietri's spirit.  

Opening the night, legendary Miguel Algarín (last surviving founding member of the Café), read-performed a poem dedicated to his friend Pedro. Taking on the stage after him, Barcelona-born poet David Castillo, alma-pater of the homege, improvised a translation into Catalonian of Pietri's most famous poem,...