Report by Lisa Nightingale
The 2016 Winchester Poetry Festival of which Hampshire Poet of 2014 Joan McGavin is a trustee, includes discussions, reading and translations of poetry celebrating all things revolution.
Established successful voices read their poetry and in Journal Letters discuss the letters of Keats who, 100 years ago rebelled against his family’s wishes that he should become a doctor. He became a poet instead and thank goodness for that!
These events are TICKETED. Get in quick!
The festival also features many FREE EVENTS and showcases local and international new voices including a duel between two translators of German poetry!
Take part in the many workshops and the Literary Walking Tour of Winchester which features Keat’s Ode to Autumn inspired by his walk along the River Itchen.
This year sees a new competition: Young Poets Ballad Competition which is run in conjunction with P&G Wells. Head Judge is Richard Stillman, Head of English at Winchester University. Rules and guidelines for this competition can be found at www.bookwells.co.uk/images/WinPoetryBallad2.pdf
Winchester Poetry Festival is delighted to be collaborating with Test Valley Garden and Literary Festival bringing us Poets in the Garden. Readings by distinguished poets, Susan Wicks and Ruth Padel.
Poets Julia Bird and Mike Sims bring the work of Keats to life and Stephan Buczaki chairs a gardener’s’ question time. ‘A wonderful combination of talent, creativity and good company in the glorious heart of England.’ as Alan Titchmarsh puts it.
Details of both festivals can be found at: www.winchesterpoetryfestival.org Follow the link to www.testvalleyfestival.co.uk