The Magic of Poetry at the Christchurch Writers’ Festival
“Dylan Thomas wrote, ‘I could never have dreamt that there were such goings-on in the world between the covers of books… All of which were words, words, words, and each of which were alive forever…’”
True to the spirit of Dylan Thomas, there is a feast of magical poetry events at this year’s Christchurch Writers’ Festival. Some of those appearing, like Bernadette Hall and Tusiata Avia, are already poets I am privileged to know. Others—like poet laureates past and present Cilla McQueen and Ian Wedde respectively—are those I am looking forward to hearing for the first time.
In case you haven’t already checked them out, here is the lineup of poetry events:
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Five New Zealand Poets
Sunday 2 September 5.00pm, Geo Dome, Hagley Park
‘Five New Zealand Poets‘ will end the festival on Sunday and culminate in the presentation of the 2012 Lauris Edmond Award for Poetry. Ian Wedde, the current New Zealand Poet Laureate, former laureate Cilla McQueen and renowned poets Bernadette Hall, Riemke Ensing and Harry Ricketts will all be reading in what promises to be a powerful festival finale.
Poetry for Lunch
Saturday 1 September, 11.00am, YMCA, Rolleston Avenue
‘Poetry for Lunch: Tasty Morsels‘ will feature two writers who are launching new collections at the festival, Karen Zelas and Kerrin Sharpe, as well as established poets Tusiata Avia, Ben Brown, Doc Drumheller, David Eggleton and Siobhan Harvey.
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Survivor Poetry
Friday 31 August, 8.00pm, Geo Dome, Hagley Park
‘Survivor Poetry: Out-Read-Out-Write-Out-Loud‘ will test who can survive a brutal peer-voting system and present poetry responding to spontaneous challenges in front of a live audience.
This event was cancelled with the festival in September 2010, but was subsequently held at, now a distant memory, Al’s Bar. You can read about the last Survivor session here to get a taste for it.
Book Launches by Three Wonderful New Zealand Poets
Please come and join in the celebrations for the launch of new collections by three local poets:
Karen Zelas and Sugu Pillay – Thursday 30 August, 4.30-5.30pm, Small Geo Dome, Hagley Park
Kerrin Sharpe – Sunday 2 September, 6.30-7.30pm, Small Geo Dome, Hagley Park
Make sure you don’t miss out on all these wonderful goings-on!
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To Get Your Tickets:
You can book tickets to Five New Zealand Poets and Survivor Poetry here. (Door sales may also be available on the day.)
Poetry for Lunch is by door entry only ($5) and entry to the book launches is free.