Poetry Marquee

With AJ Hardingson

‘Day in the Life’ Community Poem Bunting

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April

10am - 5pm

For: all ages

This year’s community poem gives writers of all ages a chance to reflect on a snapshot of their day on a piece of bunting. These individual bunting pieces will be combined over the course of the festival into a collaborative poem which will eventually be displayed at Bournemouth Library. 

​

Writers are free to work and respond to the theme in any way they choose. Collage and art materials will be available to play with and add to the mix. 

​

AJ Hardingson, a local poet who specializes in freeform, collage and blackout poetry, will be on hand to guide, support and empower you while you create your contribution.

​

Find out more about AJ Hardingson

With AJ Hardingson

‘Writing the Everyday’ Poetry Zine

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April

10am - 5pm

For: poets aged 18yrs+

Contribute a piece to a special poetry zine created. Writers from across the BCP area and visiting at the Writing Festival are invited to create or contribute a poem that fits onto a single A5 zine page on the theme of ‘writing the everyday’. Writers are free to interpret this theme however they wish and use any form of poetry.

You are also able to create accompanying artwork and/or illustrations onto your zine page (art and collage supplies will be available). You can either write something on the spot, or use a piece you’ve already written.

Writers are also able to include their social media tags or website details on their page. The Zine will be compiled (and available to view as it is formed) across the weekend, and will be shared online on Friday 1st May.

​

Alternatively, submit a zine page online via AJ Hardingson’s website by 5pm Sunday 26th April.

AJ Hardingson, a local poet who specializes in zine making, collage and blackout poetry, will be on hand to guide and support you while you create your contribution at the festival.

​

Find out more about AJ Hardingson

With the Poetry Exchange

Poetry Tombola

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April

10am - 5pm

For: all ages

​

Simply spin the Poetry Tombola drum to pick out a number. Then exchange that number for the corresponding poem in an envelope for you to take away with you.

All the poems have been brought to The Poetry Exchange over the years by people who have known them as friends. The Poetry Exchange invites people from all walks of life to come and talk with them about the poem that has been a friend to them, exploring their chosen poem and the part it has played in their life. 

Poetry Tombola allows you to meet some of these poems for yourself…and perhaps they will go on to become a friend to you too!

You can listen to The Poetry Exchange’s extraordinary conversations about Poems as Friends on their award-winning podcast and at www.thepoetryexchange.co.uk. 

With Game Poems Magazine and University of Southampton

Game Poems

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April

10am - 5pm

For: all ages

​

Can videogames be poems?

​

We present an innovative collection of small, poetic videogames that anyone can play and enjoy on a mobile device—no gaming skills required!

Suitable for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Requires a mobile device such as a smart phone or iPad that can scan a QR code.Headphones recommended. 

Game Poems Magazine is an online playable magazine dedicated to exploring the artistic and poetic potential of short-form videogames. It is assembled and published at Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton. Learn more at GamePoems.com 

With Ellora Sutton

High Street Haiku and poetry chat

Saturday 25th April

10:30am-12:00pm

For: all ages

​

Think you can’t write a poem? Think again! Prize-winning poet Ellora Sutton will get you started with just three lines, taking inspiration from what you see (or hear, or smell) around you. Whether you’ve got five minutes or an hour, pop in to get to grips with haiku at your own pace, one line at a time. If you want an extra challenge, you can try your hand at a haibun! 

​

This free drop-in is open to any and all abilities and ages. Everyone is welcome. 

​

Got any pressing poetry queries? Want a personalised poetry book recommendation or advice about pursuing poetry as (something like) a career? Ellora will be happy to chat all things poetry—in fact, she’d love to! 

Nazneen Ahmed Pathak

Magical Charm Poems

Sunday 26th April

10:30am-12:00pm

For: 0-16yrs but all welcome to participate

​

Abracadabra, Alakazam! Make your own wearable magical charms at this free drop-in session.

If you could write your own spell, what would it be for? What would your magical words sound like? 

​

Do you know that lots of cultures around the world use words as wearable charms for luck and protection?

In this writing and making activity with poet and children's author Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, you'll get to create a spell of your own, turn it into beads, and take your unique magical charm bracelet away at the end. 

​

Find out more about Nazneen Ahmed Pathak