City of Nanaimo set to Celebrate Local Poetry

April marks National Poetry Month

Summary

April marks the 17th anniversary of National Poetry Month in Canada, and Nanaimo is set to celebrate. Established 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.

Nanaimo's Poet Laureate, Naomi Beth Wakan will be making a series of appearances in April to celebrate and promote Poetry:

APRIL 9 - Poetry in Transit Unveiling Ceremony APRIL 13 - Poetry Reading at 2016 Culture & Heritage Awards Ceremony APRIL 18 - Poetry Reading at City Council Meeting for Mayor's City Poetry Challenge

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.
  • APRIL 9 - Poetry in Transit Unveiling Ceremony - Join the City, RDN, VIRL and participating poets at the unveiling ceremony to be held at the Vancouver Island Regional Library (Harbourfront Branch) at 1:00 pm.
  • APRIL 13 - Poetry Reading @ 2016 Culture & Heritage Awards Ceremony - Join us at the Port Theatre at 7:00 pm to recognize best of Nanaimo's culture and heritage, and enjoy an evening of free entertainment. Tickets are FREE but must be reserved.
  • APRIL 18 - Nanaimo has been challenged by the Mayor of Calgary to participate in the 2016 Mayor’s Poetry City Challenge. Our Poet Laureate (Naomi Beth Wakan) will be joined by the winners of the High School Poetry Competition, to read poetry to Mayor & Council at the April 18 meeting.

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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