City of Nanaimo set to Celebrate Local Poetry

April marks National Poetry Month

Summary

April marks the 16th anniversary of National Poetry Month in Canada, and Nanaimo is set to celebrate. Established April 1998 by the League of Canadian Poets, National Poetry Month brings together schools, publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, and poets from across the country to celebrate poetry, writing, small presses and the contribution of poets and writers to the cultural life of Canadians.

Link to Strategic Plan: National Poetry Month furthers the goals of the City's Strategic Plan of by promoting local poetry as part Nanaimo's cultural vitality.

Key Points

  • Nanaimo’s inaugural Poet Laureate Naomi Beth Wakan will be making a series of appearances in April to promote poetry.
  • The City of Nanaimo has been challenged by Regina's Mayor Michael Fougere to participate in the Mayor’s Poetry City Challenge. Naomi takes on the challenge by giving a reading at Council on April 28.
  • The City of Nanaimo & the Nanaimo Daily News have created a new monthly poetry column "Calling All Poets" to promote local poets and encourage residents to write Nanaimo-themed poetry.
  • Visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/poetry for more information on Nanaimo's poetry.

Quotes

"The City of Nanaimo recognizes the cultural importance of language as the primary means of conveying knowledge. This month I encourage all our residents to participate in the events being held to celebrate poetry and to support the idea of promoting literature in our community."

Mayor
City of Nanaimo
-30-

Contact:

Chris Barfoot
Culture and Heritage Coordinator
City of Nanaimo
250-755-7522

Print News Release

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