Wednesday, August 04, 2010

GILLIAN NEWMAN REPORTS FROM CANTERBURY ON NATIONAL POETRY DAY

Last Friday we had a humdinger of a National Poetry Day here at the Canterbury University Bookshop. Jeffrey Paparoa Holman chaired the diverse selection of readers and began by launching a new volume of verse by Linda Connell, Guarding the Cellar Door (photo below) published by that wonderful supporter of New Zealand poets, Roger Steele.


There really was something for everyone.
Two students from the School for Young Writers, Rosie Bolderston and Duncan Matchell, gave confident and arresting performances and Tusiata Avia had everyone first laughing, then contemplative with her strong storytelling poems.The Hagley Writers' Institute was also well represented by Micah Timona Ferris and Sarah Maindonald, and Roger Hickin and Jeffrey himself all added to the brew.

Morrin Rout and Philip King brought the whole proceedings to a close with a moving rendition of The Parting Glass.

Poetry is alive and well in Canterbury!

No comments: