What is Kundiman?

Mission

Kundiman is dedicated to the creation, cultivation and promotion of Asian American poetry.

Vision

Kundiman creates an affirming and rigorous space where Asian American poets can explore, through art, the unique challenges that face the new and ever changing diaspora. We see the arts as a tool of empowerment, of education and liberation, of addressing proactively what legacy we will leave for our future generations as individuals and as a community.

What does Kundiman mean?

Kundiman is the classic form of Filipino love song—or so it seemed to colonialist forces in the Philippines. In fact, in Kundiman, the singer who expresses undying love for his beloved is actually singing for love of country. As an organization dedicated to providing a nurturing space for Asian American poets, we find in this name inspiration to create and support poetic expression.

Impact

More than 80 poets have attended the Kundiman Retreat.  Fellows report first-time publication in national literary journals, finalist distinction in literary awards and a greater sense of confidence in their pursuit of literary excellence. Kundiman Fellows have published poems in Denver Quarterly, The Virginia Quarterly Review, Fence, The Colorado Review, Pleides, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, The Beloit Poetry Journal, Women Studies Quarterly, Crab Orchard Review, The Best of the Net, The Cortland Review, Third Coast, Spoon River Poetry Review, Nimrod International Journal, The Drunken Boat, MiPOesias, Poetry Southeast and Sou’wester.  They are attending MFA and doctoral programs at The Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Brown University, New York University, Stanford University, The University of Houston, The University of California, Riverside and The University of California, Berkeley. Since 2004, thirteen fellows have published first books and five have published chapbooks and they credit Kundiman as being catalytic in their growth as writers.