Blog Posts

Holocaust Memorial Day

27/1/2019

27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day, a day to everyone to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, and the millions of people killed by Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. 27 January marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

Poetry NI and sister project Lagan Online have marked past Holocaust Memorial Days with the release of online chapbooks from writers within Ireland and beyond, reflecting on issues that remain as poignant and as relevant today as ever. All are downloadable for free, just link on the images below:

FourXFour Issue 27 out now

30/12/2018

"And I would take your soft fingers
And pull you down the alleys of my youth
We would sit under the electric starlight
Listen to the music of the gab
And I would show you the tiny cubby
And the back room of my dreams
Then we’d cross the street to the shell of infancy"

The new issue FourXFour is out now, with new work from Jacqueline Rock, Rachel Spence, Rowan E. Madden and Rainbow Ashwood Jamaican.

Read online and download for free. Many thanks to Jacqueline Rock for the stunning cover artwork for this issue.

Remember, submissions are currently open for future issues too, see our guidelines. Subs close 3rd Feb, 2019.

New e-pamphlet for Christmas

18/12/2018

Announcing a new special e-pamphlet from Poetry NI for Christmas, by Elizabeth McGeown.

" 'twas two weeks before Christmas
and all through Belfast
people are trying to relive their past."

McGeown's epic poem 'twas captures many stories of the Christmas season: from the parties and celebrations, to the isolation felt by many, to commerce, music, TV specials and other traditions. It is a poem born of Belfast, and the unique situation the city centre found itself in during the wake of the Primark fire; but it also explores how Christmas can make us reflect on our own personal identity, and how we choose to engage with others.

Download for free now.

Panning for Poems Issue Nine

13/11/2018

At last, it's here, Issue Nine of Panning for Poems (sorry for the wait). Enjoy the relaunch of your favourite micropoetry microjournal!

Issue Nine features: Alison Ross, Olga Dermott- Bond, Siobhan Elvis Atkins, Anna Murphy, Courtney Hilden, Geraldine Dardis O'Kane, Trish Bennett, Peter Adair, Juliet Wilson, Colin Dardis, Olive Broderick, Dan Eggs, Shannon O'Brien and Micheál Gallagher.

Plus, we are open to submissions for the next issue, see the link for details.

New e-pamphlet for National Poetry Day UK

4/10/2018

Our latest e-pamphlet, Changing Verses in Midstream, is now available for free download, especially compiled for National Poetry Day UK.

We put out a 24-hour writing challenge: to write a poem on the theme of 'change'. Poets had precisely 24 hours to respond to the challenge, write a new poem, and send it in to us.

We're delighted with the results and that so many decided to take up the task. Within, you'll find poems from Orla Fay. Trudie Gorman, David Braziel, Glen Wilson, Siobhan Atkins, Peter Adair, Jane Robinson, Jessamine O’Connor, Geraldine O’Kane, K.S. Moore, Trish Bennett, Colin Dardis, Andrew Roycroft and Rosie Burrows.

Special thanks also to the Year 10 pupils from the Archer Academy in East Finchley, North London, who held a special writing special in school, in answer to our challenge. Well done all of them!

Happy reading, and happy National Poetry Day.

World Poetry Movement: Power to the People

9/8/2018

Friday 24th August, 7.30-9pm
Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

World Poetry Movement is organising a worldwide poetry action called Return to the People, in defence of poetry and culture assaulted by unjust and exclusive systems, protecting free speech, and speaking out against regimes who oppress artists and writers.

Belfast Book Festival and Poetry NI are delighted to host eight poets, reading work in unity of this movement, including Nathan Armstrong, Colin Dardis, Mark Madden, Geraldine O'Kane, Willetta Fleming, Nathan Thanki and David Braziel (full line-up to be confirmed).

Tickets are only £5, book now!

Poetry Ahoy! at Titanic Belfast

6/8/2018

We're going to be at Titanic Belfast's August Arts and Animation Festival for some maritime poetry on the high seas!

Join us from 1.30-2.30pm on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th August for poetry from Amy Wyatt Rafferty, Ross Thompson (Saturday only), Mark Cooper (Sunday only), Geraldine O'Kane and Colin Dardis.

PLUS we've have OPEN MIC slots for anyone wanting to share a sea shanty or set sail on a sonnet! Just bring a poem with you on the day, come along and join in. Plus there will lots of other family-friendly events including walking tours, buskers, face painting, art trail, pop-up library and more!

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