When Words Collide 2026

Hebert Poll Gutiérrez is a Cuban Canadian author, playwright, poet, and storyteller with 21 years of experience. He sees art as a tool to defend his triple cultural identity—as a Cuban, an Afro-descendant, and an artist—and to create stories that connect African roots with visions of the future.

His work transforms each text into a space for reflection, cultural dialogue, and resistance, exploring identity, memory, justice, and belonging through theatre, poetry, and narrative.

He has published 10 books, including:
Confesiones de un Quijote sin Patria (Confessions of a Quixote Without a Homeland) Poetry. Latido Inquieto Publishing House, USA,2026.

Susurros de los Dioses Negros (Whispers from the Black Gods, poetry, 2022, The Elite Lizzard Publishing, Canada)

El Último Planeta en Pie (Last Planet Standing, theatre, 2023, Letra de Kmbio, France).

His writings appear in over 20 anthologies and journals across Cuba, Venezuela, Canada, Spain, the United States, Mexico, Germany, and beyond.

His scripts have been staged by companies in Latin America, Europe, and Canada, building cultural bridges across communities.

Among his most recognized works are La Gran Carrera (The Great Race), Susurros de los Dioses Negros ( Whispers from the Black Gods), and Emí Laara: Pequeñas Historias para Soñar (Emi Laara: Little Stories to Dream), presented on stages in Cuba, Canada, the United States, Spain, Argentina, Chile, and the Dominican Republic.

AFFILIATIONS & CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

Hebert actively engages with leading national and international arts organizations that champion theatre, storytelling, media arts, intercultural dialogue, and community-based artistic practice. Through these professional networks, he contributes to the exchange of ideas, the development of new work, and the promotion of diverse cultural voices across Canada and beyond.

Professional Affiliations

Playwrights Guild of Canada (Toronto)

Storytellers of Canada (Toronto)

SpanicArts (Calgary)

ASSITEJ Cuba & ASSITEJ Canada – International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People

UNIMA Canada – International Puppetry Association

Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society (AMAAS) (Edmonton)

CALTAC – Canadian Coalition of Latin Theatre Artists (Vancouver)

INDAI – International Network of Dance and Art Institutions (Montreal)

ICAI – Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (Calgary)

Canadian Association of Hispanics (Ottawa)

He was named Artist of the Month in December 2021 by the Immigrant Council for Artistic Innovation (ICAI).