POETRY IN 7TH HEAVEN

7th Poetry Day
9. 11. - 22. 11. 2005

The Poetry Day/s/ in the Czech Republic are a celebration of poetry in many forms. Events range from more formal readings by well-known and published Czech and international poets to evenings with performance poets and musicians and activities in schools and libraries, which decided to devote time to write, read and celebrate poetry, particularly with young children.

The activities this year last for about a week preceding and following the "official" Poetry Day, i.e. 16th November (the anniversary of the great Czech Romantic poet K.H.Mácha). There are activities in many towns and villages throughout the country. Poetry is read, recited, expressed through music, the plastic arts, drama. Poems are exhibited on walls and freely available in libraries and cafes (particularly in Plzeň!).

In addition to this formal diversity, cultural diversity is a particular theme this year, with one of the main Prague events (13.11.) featuring poets from Spain, Latvia, Serbia, Hungary, Wales and England. There will also be a special evening of Romany literature dedicated to the memory of the late Milena Hubschmannova who did so much to make Romany literature available to a wider audience.

The Poetry Day does not aim to be a fixed or official "festival" but more a focus for celebration of the importance of poetry and its ability to express and transform the realities of our lives. We hope you can enjoy some of the events this year, and find some way of celebrating poetry in your own way.

Organizers:

Martin Zborník, tel. 608234844, martin@totem.cz , Totem.cz
Bernie Higgins, tel. 274813800, denpoezie@volny.cz, Den poezie
Zora Šimůnková, tel. 604410915, simunkov@prf.cuni.cz, Depky