Wednesday, March 23, 2011

World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day was March 21. How did I miss this?

THE United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999, designated March 21 each year to be observed as World Poetry Day. The first World Poetry Day was held on March 21, 2000.

Since 2000, World Poetry Day has provided the needed venue to express appreciation and support for poets and poetry around the globe. Representatives of government agencies, educators, community groups, and poetry enthusiasts work and gather together on this day to promote the teaching, reading, writing, and publishing of poetry. Their activities include introducing young children to poetry and taking up lessons related to poetry in classrooms; inviting poets to read and share their works with audiences at book stores, cafés, and university and school forums; mounting exhibits and holding poetry evenings to showcase the work of various poets; and organizing poetry writing contests.

*

Ah well. At least we had a delightful poetry group meeting the next evening, March 22. Great poems all around, gales of laughter, glasses of wine, fresh flowers, and good cheer. I LOVE our group!

*

3 comments:

Joannie Stangeland said...

Thanks for the post. I should put this on my calendar for next year.

William James said...

Gales of laughter, flowery images, and glasses of cheer. That sounds like fun. Where was I on that day?

T. said...

Ah...my face hurt from so much laughing....