From Valera to Dubai, a Poet’s Journey of Emotion, Memory, and Rebirth Finds International Recognition
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Venezuelan-born poet Anastasia Spiroy Bustos, known as Anastasia Spyrou, has been named among the Top Global Poets in the prestigious Hashtag Kalakar Global Art & Writing Contest — a recognition that highlights her growing influence as a poetic voice defined by emotion, vulnerability, and a deeply human understanding of transformation.
At just 25, Anastasia has already carved her own quiet yet powerful place in contemporary poetry. Her work, notably her 2024 debut collection “Tulipanes,” traces cycles of evolution, healing, loss, rebirth, and the tender emotional spaces between. Written with a voice that is both fragile and fierce, her poetry reflects the journey of a young woman who has lived many lives: a daughter of Venezuela, a seeker of beauty, a lover of words, a dreamer who found refuge in literature, and an artist learning to bloom despite the storms.
Growing up in Valera surrounded by books, music, flowers, and a culture rich with storytelling, Anastasia developed a sensitivity that would shape her creative identity. Her poems, much like the tulip, open slowly — revealing layers of memory, expectation, sorrow, and hope.
“Just because your petals fall, it does not mean you won’t bloom again next spring.”
— Anastasia Spiroy, Tulipanes (2024)
This message, now one of her most celebrated lines, captures the very essence of her creative spirit: growth, resilience, and the beautiful truth that even in fragility, life persists.
A Poet Formed by Emotion, Memory, and the Quiet Art of Observation
Although Anastasia currently builds her professional career in the hospitality and hotel industry, her heart has always belonged to literature. From childhood, she found comfort in the worlds created by authors, poets, and dreamers — worlds where imagination was limitless and emotion was allowed to speak without fear.
Her earliest writings began at age twelve, when journaling became a personal sanctuary. Within the pages of notebooks filled with fears, small triumphs, loves, losses, and everyday observations, her poetic voice slowly took shape. These journals became a quiet archive of her emotional evolution — a private space where she practiced the art of turning pain into poetry, confusion into clarity, and experience into expression.
“I began writing because I wanted to understand my emotions — to give form to what I felt but couldn’t say.”
Her poems are deeply personal, yet universally resonant. They explore:
- the vulnerability of love
- the tenderness of memory
- the weight of time
- the cyclical nature of healing
- the longing for belonging
- the beauty found in small details
She is inspired by people — their stories, their silences, their gestures — and by her own emotional reactions to those she loves. Many of her poems are written as dedications, quiet offerings of gratitude, longing, or remembrance.
Her fascination with fantasy worlds also shaped her writing. She sees literature as a form of magic — a way to believe in the intangible, the eternal, and the invisible truths that govern human life.
Tulipanes: A Young Writer’s Declaration of Identity and Growth
Published in Madrid in 2024, “Tulipanes” marked a significant milestone in Anastasia’s creative journey. The book is a delicate yet powerful collection that examines the internal seasons of a human life.
Like the flower it is named after, the book symbolizes renewal — the breaking open of the self, the shedding of past petals, and the quiet, steady return to light.
The collection explores:
- emotional gestation
- rebirth after pain
- the quiet internal changes that no one sees
- nature as metaphor for transformation
- gratitude and dedication
- the beauty of simple human connection
Readers have described the collection as “soft yet piercing,” “deeply reflective,” and “a poetic experience that feels alive.” Anastasia writes with a maturity that surpasses her years — blending youth’s intensity with the wisdom of someone who has loved, lost, and learned deeply.
Her work is filled with floral imagery, seasonal metaphors, and the recurring theme of blooming — not as a single moment, but as a lifelong process of becoming.
A Creative Identity Rooted in Home, Heritage, and Silent Strength
Despite living far from Venezuela, Anastasia’s roots travel with her — through her culture, her memories, the aroma of food she grew up with, the stories told by family members, and the natural beauty that shaped her early years. Her writing often reflects this longing, this duality of being both here and there, both present and nostalgic.
Her identity as a Latina woman in the Middle East adds another layer to her work: the exploration of belonging, identity, and the changing meanings of home.
Being a reader, traveler, and lover of nature, her creativity is shaped by the world around her — the rhythm of seasons, the colors of flowers, the warmth of sunlight, the softness of wind moving across water.
All of these influences blend naturally into her poetry, like pigments mixing on a painter’s palette.
Hashtag Kalakar: A Global Platform Recognizing Real Voices and Authentic Art
Being selected as one of the top global poets is not merely an accolade — it is a testament to Anastasia’s sincerity, emotional richness, and literary talent. The Hashtag Kalakar Global Art & Writing Contest, known for its fairness, credibility, and artistic integrity, is celebrated by writers worldwide for its commitment to spotlighting genuine creativity.
“We are honored to feature poets like Anastasia Spyrou,” said a representative from Hashtag Kalakar.
“Her writing reflects emotional truth, cultural depth, and the quiet power of vulnerability — qualities that lie at the heart of our global movement.”
Hashtag Kalakar stands apart from typical competitions. It values:
- authentic expression
- emotional sincerity
- diverse storytelling
- cultural representation
- artistic integrity
With participants from more than 60 countries, it serves as a bridge between emerging and established artists, helping amplify voices that deserve global recognition.
A Future Filled With Pages Yet to Be Written
As Anastasia continues her creative journey in Dubai, her poetry — much like her life — remains in a constant state of evolution. She hopes to publish more books, explore new themes, and continue weaving emotion with artistry.
Her voice is still growing, still blooming, still learning the delicate balance between living and writing. But one truth remains constant: Anastasia writes not to impress, but to express. Not to be seen, but to feel. Not to be perfect, but to be honest.
Her work reminds readers of a simple yet profound truth:
We all fall. We all rise. We all bloom again.
Through her poetry, Anastasia continues to offer the world beauty, tenderness, and the reminder that even the softest voices can leave the deepest marks.
About Hashtag Kalakar
Hashtag Kalakar is a global creative movement dedicated to uplifting artists, poets, writers, and performers through credible contests, international showcases, creative opportunities, and curated global features. Founded on transparency, trust, and artistic sincerity, it has become one of the world’s most respected platforms for creative talent.
Its mission is simple yet powerful:
to help authentic voices find their rightful place in the world.
Official Website: www.hashtagkalakar.com
Instagram: @hashtagkalakar