St. John's Kicks Off Cross-Country Poetry Challenge

In recognition of UNESCO World Poetry Day (March 21) and in anticipation of April as National Poetry Month, the City of St. John’s is taking part in a challenge mounted by Regina Mayor Michael Fougere.

Mayor Fougere, in collaboration with the League of Canadian Poets and the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild, is inviting municipalities across Canada to host readings of local poetry in their council meetings throughout March and April.

At the City of St. John’s Council meeting on Tuesday, March 19, City of St. John’s Poet Laureate Tom Dawe and local poet Leslie Vryenhoek will read from their work in the Council Chamber – the first in a series of poetic council meetings across Canada.

“I’m honoured to have our esteemed Poet Laureate Tom Dawe and poet Leslie Vryenhoek read at our meeting today and we are very pleased to kick off the 2013 Mayor’s Poetry City Challenge right here in St. John’s,” says Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “The appointment of a Poet Laureate is one way that the City is able to recognize the significance of the literary arts and integrate them into our City’s activities and this challenge presents another opportunity to celebrate the importance of poetry and literary creation.”

Leslie Vryenhoek, a St. John’s-based writer and member of the League of Canadian Poets, is happy that the challenge was accepted

"Poetry is about vibrant language and fresh thinking, and I think it says great things about our city that the Mayor has taken up this challenge and City Council will open a meeting with poetry," says poet Vryenhoek.

As Chair of the City of St. John’s Arts Advisory Committee, Deputy Mayor Shannie Duff sees this initiative as a valuable part of the City’s overall strategy to support the development of the arts in St. John’s:

“The arts enhance our City’s distinctiveness, attract visitors and encourage economic growth,” says Deputy Mayor Duff. “Inviting poets to read during a council meeting is one more way for us to acknowledge our appreciation of that valuable contribution.”

The City of St. John’s will be the first city in Canada this year to answer the Regina Mayor’s Poetry City Challenge call, which is in its second year.

More information on the League of Canadian Poets and the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild can be found on their respective websites at www.poets.ca, and www.skwriter.com.

For further information:
Jennifer Mills
Communications Officer
City of St. John’s
Phone: (709) 570-2037
Cell: (709) 690-7586
E-mail: jmills@stjohns.ca

Dennis O’Keefe
Mayor
City of St. John’s
Phone: (709) 364-8477
E-mail: dokeefe@stjohns.ca

Shannie Duff
Deputy Mayor
Chair, Arts Advisory Committee
City of St. John's
Phone: (709) 576-5260
Cell: (709) 691-1869
E-mail: sduff@stjohns.ca