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National Poetry Month
By Lindsey | April 1, 2008
Here’s another writing-related article I wrote that I thought you guys might be interested in:
A celebration of poetry
Lindsey Rivait
Arts Editor
With National Novel Writing Month far behind us, it’s time to step up and celebrate a different form: poetry. April is National Poetry Month, and this year marks its tenth anniversary in Canada.
Originally, National Poetry Month began in the US as an effort from the Academy of American Poets to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry. Two years later, The League of Canadian Poets started National Poetry Month in Canada. Schools, publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, and poets across the country come together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in Canada’s culture.
“National Poetry Month is a unique festival, with collaboration between one central organization and many host venues across the country with their own experience and expertise,” said Joanna Poblocka from the League of Canadian Poets.
To assist the growth of National Poetry Month, the League offers funding for readings and performances which explore the year’s theme thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts.
Each year the celebrations focus on a theme, with this year’s theme being Poetry Without Borders.
Participants are encouraged to celebrate the diversity of cultural traditions in Canada and explore the possibilities of multicultural poetry events, as well as examine how poetry can combine with other forms of expression.
“The goal of National Poetry Month is to expand and educate poetry audiences, especially young audiences, and to increase the profile of poetry and poets and boost the sales of Canadian poetry books. National, provincial and regional media usually report on many National Poetry Month events, review poetry books, and interview poets,” Poblocka explained.
Poetry is everywhere, and while it is a very personal form, it’s also universal. “Poets express their thoughts and experiences through poems, and capture the essence of that experience and present it in such a way that others can relate to, emotionally and spiritually,” said Poblocka.
The League of Canadian Poets also presents Young Poets’ Week, from April 7-13, in order to recognize young Canadian talent and creativity. “Through online mentorships, poetry exercises, a poetry contest, and a video poetry cafe, the League of Canadian Poets wants to let youth know about the poetry in their country and encourage them to engage on a poetic level,” said Young Poets Editorial Coordinator, Shannon Cowan.
The Young Poets website offers tips to teachers and educators throughout Young Poets’ Week to get students interested in poetry.
“Youth will also have a chance to have their poetry critiqued by established mentors online. And, new for this year, young poets will have the opportunity to post poetry videos on our forums while professional poets will offer readings and poetry writing tips through video clips filmed in Canada and around the world,” Cowan said.
The League will also be partnering with provincial writers’ organizations to help bring poets into classrooms. “Thirty poets will be reading to students in six provinces. The League will also be adding additional funds to their existing Poets in the Schools program, which will allow Ontario educators the opportunity to have a poet conduct a school-wide or classroom reading free of charge,” said Cowan.
While Young Poets’ targets students ages 12-19, there are ways for older university students to get involved.
“Currently we work with many undergraduate and graduate creative writing students through a monthly poet-in-residence program. We also welcome articles, interviews, reviews, and more for our youth e-zine [Re:Verse] written for a young audience,” explained Cowan.
As for the future of National Poetry Month, Poblocka hopes that it will continue to expand and that the Young Poets’ program will encourage more young people to get involved with poetry and writing. “We hope that National Poetry Month will grow every year, and that it will get more support, coverage and exposure in the future,” she said.
“I think the best way to celebrate and support National Poetry Month is to go out and support your local poets, and attend readings and performances. Also exposure to new poetry is a good idea. There are many exciting things happening, poetry is a really cool art form,” she emphasized.
For more information about National Poetry Month, visit www.poets.ca/Linktext/npm.htm.
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