Poetry and Football
In May 2006, just before the World Cup, Poet in the City was honoured to hold a prestigious 'Poetry and Football' event at the offices of the Football Association in Soho Square, the headquarters of English football.
Matthew Hollis
Poet in the City held an event with the contemporary poet Matthew Hollis at Seven Bedford Row Chambers, the leading barristers' chambers. Matthew's first collection, 'Ground Water' (published by Bloodaxe), has won great critical acclaim. It features poems about the landscape of east Anglia and the emotional landscape of family and emotional life. His amazing use of language and grand visions make him one of the most important and interesting poets writing today.
Sufism
In September 2006 Poet in the City returned to the UK headquarters of Amnesty International for another poetry event touching upon human rights. In this case the event, which attracted a capacity audience of 250 people, was to celebrate the poetry and music of Sufism, the great Islamic devotional tradition which spans the Muslim world from Morocco to India. Amnesty was interested to hold the event because of the persecution of Sufis and Sufi musicians at the hands of Muslim fundamentalists which is occurring in some countries. They used the mail out to highlight the plight of 52 members of the Nematollahi Sufi community and their two lawyers, wrongly imprisoned and flogged in Iran apparently because of their participation in a peaceful demonstration.
One Word More
On 12 September Poet in the City joined with the Browning Society in St Marylebone Parish Church to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the marriage of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning. Taking place on the same day as the wedding in 1846 the event was an extraordinary celebration of two of the Nineteenth Century's most famous and influential poets.
The war poetry of Keith Douglas
In October 2006 Poet in the City held an excellent event with Andrew Motion, the Poet Laureate, and Owen Sheers celebrating the life and poetry of Keith Douglas, the World War II poet. The event was sponsored by Linklaters, the leading international law firm, and took place at its offices in Silk Street, near the Barbican, in the heart of the City.
Poetry and Mental Health
Poet in the City is working to highlight the connections between poetry and mental health. Funded by the Wellcome Trust the project held an important event at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in April to explore the way in which poetry has addressed issues of mental health and distress. The event itself was also kindly sponsored by The Priory, a provider of specialist mental health services.
Poetry & Identity
In November 2006 Poet in the City held a prestigious event at the National Portrait Gallery exploring the relationship between poetry and identity, and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Gallery. The event featured the poets Lynton Kwesi Johnson and George Szirtes and the singer and political activist Billy Bragg. Peggy Reynolds, the academic and broadcaster, also took part and led a panel discussion.
Secrets & Lies drop-in
The year ended with a successful drop-in on the theme of 'Secrets and Lies' at the stylish offices of David Keltie Associates, Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, on Holborn Viaduct. David himself was there as usual, a generous and enthusiastic host. Poet in the City members 'dropped-in' to read poems about or inspired by the themes.