The World Poetry Day Celebration put on by the literature program in the English department will take place on Wednesday, March 19 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Sharwan Smith Theater.
World Poetry Day is celebrated annually around the globe on March 21. Founded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, it’s meant to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increase the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard.
The 2025 theme is “Poetry as a Bridge for Peace and Inclusion,” meant to bring people together through the trying times the world is currently facing.
Nozomi Irei, one of SUU’s own associate professors and a fellow poetry enthusiast, strongly believes in the benefits poetry can bring to campus and society.
“Poetry allows you to articulate things in such a different way…(it) allows you to have nonsense but still (convey) a feeling,” said Irei.
The World Poetry Day Celebration will allow attendees to listen to and read poems selected from the works on the poetry foundation’s website.
A screening of “Voice and Visions” by famous poet, Emily Dickinson will also be shown while people enjoy refreshments and receive free books and other poetry mementos.
The event is meant to encourage the production and appreciation of poetry as well as promote the English Department.
“We want students to know that even if they don’t want to necessarily become an English teacher, if they just really want to study literature and poetry, there is a path,” said Irei.
The event is open to all who wish to join in the festivities and learn how to express themselves and feel through the art of poetry, regardless of their background on the subject.
Sign up to read a poem by scanning the QR code on the event’s post.
Author: Brooklyn Beard
Editor: Heather Turner
Photo courtesy of SUU
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