World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day History

World Poetry Day seeks to honour the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind. At its core, it exists as a form of cultural expression and language that has the power to bring communities together, across myriad societal lines. UNESCO launched it to encourage all forms of linguistic diversity through poetic expression and allow the less known practices to be recognised. Moreover, it provides an excellent platform to critically discuss the interplay between poetry, peace and sustainable development.

For British people, World Poetry Day connects closely with their rich poetic heritage. This is a country decorated by the literary prowess of William Wordsworth, William Blake, Lord Byron, various other icons, and contemporary British poets. Instituted by UNESCO in 1999, this day has seen it become an integral part of UK's cultural calendar. It unites the populace in the admiration for famed British poets and the motivation to forge a new generation of young poets. Thus, World Poetry Day serves as a reminder of UK's significant contribution to the world of literature.

In the United Kingdom, World Poetry Day is usually marked by poetry readings, festivals, book sales, and other poetry-oriented activities. This is seen in schools, libraries, cultural centres, and other informal settings with a focus on promoting the craft and encouraging the younger generation's active participation. World Poetry Day takes place on March 21st each year, igniting the country's profound love for the art of poetry.

Facts about World Poetry Day

• The oldest love poem in the world was written on a clay tablet during the Sumerian times, which was around 3500 BC.
• William Shakespeare is most often praised for his work as a playwright however he also wrote several poems. They were just as well received as his plays, some are, The Phoenix and the Turtle, Fear no more the heat o' the sun, and from The Rape of Lucrece.
• Mahabharata is the longest poem in the world. The Indian epic poem contains about 1.8 million words.
• World Poetry Day in the UK also honors the country's famous poets, who have contributed significantly to the field. The works of great UK poets such as William Wordsworth, Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath, Siegfried Sassoon and even modern poets like Simon Armitage are often revisited and celebrated on this day.
• Many British poets have been laureates, an ancient convention that goes back to the Greeks who crowned poets with laurel wreaths. The title of UK Poet Laureate is a prestigious honorary position originally appointed by the sovereign of the UK, currently held by Simon Armitage.

In the News and Trending in the UK for World Poetry Day

Top things to do in the UK for World Poetry Day

• Read up about riddles, rhymes, limericks and sonnets and then try to write your very own original poem. Once written, share it on social media as a picture or a note.
• Go see a poetry slam show. It is often a dramatic performance in which poets recite their poetry. It is considered to be one of the most interesting ways of engaging poetry.
• Visit the gravesites of famous poets: Visit Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey to pay your respects to such luminaries as Geoffrey Chaucer, Alfred Tennyson, and Thomas Hardy.
• Read a book to learn more about Poetry in United Kingdom:
  The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Poetry in English - by Ian Hamilton
  The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse - by Philip Larkin