DLR Poetry Now 2009 Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin Thurs 26-Sun 29 01-2312929
www.poetrynow.ie
Poetry Now has become an essential event for poetry lovers – at no other festival will you get to hear so many international poets of such distinction in such a short time, and in one place. This year, as usual, there is an intriguing selection of readings to choose from; the problem is deciding what to leave out.
Former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky will give the keynote address on Thursday evening – with the title " The Fate of the Modern". It's a rare chance to hear one of the very few members of the American Academy of Arts and Letters to have appeared on The Simpsonstackle the state of the art of writing in our time.
Among the other distinguished guests is Lithuanian poet Tomas Venclova, who has lived in the US for more than 30 years but who as a young, dissident poet knew Anna Akhmatova and Boris Pasternak (both of whom he translated) and Joseph Brodsky, and whose own work has won many awards and been translated into more than 20 languages. He reads on Friday 27th with Harry Clifton.
Indian poet Sujhata Bhatt will be in Dún Laoghaire as will Slovenian poet Tomaz Salamun, Californian Frank Bidart and Cork-born Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin. On Sunday March 28th at 3.30pm there is a special 70th birthday tribute to Seamus Heaney with readings by festival participants (€20/€15/€12, price not included in festival ticket). In short, a treat, as usual.
