Lena Chilari
Poet and spoken word performer
Lena Chilari is a poet and spoken word performer originally from the Republic of Moldova, now based in Cluj-Napoca, where she graduated from the Faculty of Letters at Babeș-Bolyai University.
She made her literary debut in 2020 with the poetry collection A Cup of Novichok in Old Age (O cană de noviciok la bătrânețe), published by Tracus Arte Publishing House, which earned her the “Regele dimineții” (King of the Morning) award in a debut competition. In 2024, she released her second volume, Ludmila Topples Mountains (Ludmila răstoarnă munții), through Max Blecher Publishing House.
Lena’s poetry is characterized by an authentic voice and a distinctive sensitivity, addressing themes such as family trauma, identity, and dysfunctional eroticism, often infused with bitter irony and sarcasm. She is known for her spoken word performances, having participated in literary events in cities like Chișinău, Bucharest, Brașov, Cluj, Timișoara, and Iași.