The League of Canadian Poets (LCP) is pleased to announce the 18th anniversary of National Poetry Month (NPM) in Canada will take place throughout the month of April. The official #NPM16 theme is The Road.
Since 1988, the League of Canadian Poets has been bringing together schools, publishers, booksellers, libraries, literary organizations, and poets from across the country to celebrate poetry in Canada.
You can join the league to celebrate the timeless journey of poetry this National Poetry Month. Take poetry on the road, or stay home and let poetry take you on the road. Here are some suggestions:
On Monday April 4, join LCP online when they’ll reveal the shortlists for the 2016 Gerald Lampert and Pat Lowther Memorial Awards, the Raymond Souster Award, and the winner of the 2016 Sheri D. Wilson “Golden Beret” Spoken Word Award.
What: LCP 2016 Poetry Awards shortlists announcement
When: Monday, April 4, 2016
Where: poets.ca/awards
Time: 10:00am
2016 Mayor’s #PoetryCity Challenge
To celebrate National Poetry Month and UNESCO World Poetry Day, each year municipalities across Canada are challenged to bring poetry into politics. One mayor leads this annual challenge by inviting a poet to read at a council meeting in March or April, and challenges mayors and councils across the nation to follow suit and join the celebration. Calgary’s Mayor Naheed Nenshi will once again be leading this challenge in 2016. Help make your city a #PoetryCity. Visit poets.ca/poetrycity to find out more about this year’s challenge and how to get involved.
As well, Poem in Your Pocket Day will be held on April 21st. On this day each year, people celebrate by selecting a poem, carrying it with them, and sharing it with others. Poem in Your Pocket Day was initiated in 2002 by the Office of the Mayor in New York City, in partnership with that city’s Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education. This year, the League of Canadian Poets will extend Poem in Your Pocket Day to Canada. What an excellent idea!
For more details about National Poetry Month, how to get involved, and more, visit poets.ca.
