The Aye Write! Big City Read
has begun with 15,000 free copies
of a specially commissioned
book of poems by Edwin Morgan
being given away and poetry
read during a 24-hour period to
encourage new audiences for the
Scots Makar’s work.
The Aye Write! Big City Read
started at one minute past midnight
on Friday 25th January, with
the Aye Write! bus, filled with poets
and library staff, taking Morgan’s
work for readings in the wee
small hours to taxi drivers’ stances,
police and fire stations and even
a 24-hour supermarket before further
live readings throughout the
day and evening at the Gallery of
Modern Art.
Karen Cunningham, the Director
of Aye Write! said: “The thought of
reading Edwin’s work as part of the
Big City Read has inspired so many
people. From fi refi ghters to taxi
drivers, streetsweepers to schoolchildren,
we’ve already had a massive
response from the citizens of
Glasgow.
“Edwin Morgan is a living legend
and what better way to celebrate
his work than by encouraging a
new audience to enjoy the Scots
Makar’s work on Burns Night.”
The Makar described the initiative,
in inimitable fashion, as a
“daft idea, but a good one”.
15,000 FREE copies of a specially
commissioned book From Saturn
to Glasgow Fifty Favourite Poems
by Edwin Morgan, cover illustration
and design by Alasdair Gray,
edited by Robyn Marsack and
Hamish Whyte, are being distributed
across Glasgow’s network of
34 Community Libraries. During
the Aye Write! Big City Read, staff
and poets will also engage with
people where they are, in a taxi or
cinema queue in the 24 hour supermarket
or at work or school.
The central focus of the day will
be the Gallery of Modern Art in
Royal Exchange Square where a
24-hour read of Edwin Morgan’s
poetry will be held. 28 poets from
St Mungo’s Mirrorball, the poetry
network, will lead the readings.
Jim Carruth, Mirrorball’s chairperson,
said: “I always look at
Burns day with a bit of sadness in
that we didn’t make more of him
when he was alive.
This is in some
small way is what we hope to do
today for Scotland’s greatest living
poet Edwin Morgan.
Today we celebrate a man whose
imagination and words have started
in Glasgow and taken us on
wonderful journeys. Edwin Morgan
poem has written poems for
us all both young and old and it is
time for us to read them out.”
Linda Fabiani MSP, the Scottish
Culture Minister, who will also
read some of Edwin’s work as part
of the event at GoMA, added: “I
have personally enjoyed Edwin
Morgan’s poems for many years.
I am delighted to take part in this
event which celebrates the excellence
of our national poet. The
distribution of the book is an inspired
gesture which will be welcomed
by Glaswegians throughout
the city.”
The event will encourage as
many people in schools, libraries
and workplaces to take some
time to read out loud at least one
of his poems. Everyone can come
down and take part reading their
favourite Edwin Morgan poem and
receive a free specially produced
Edwin Morgan limited edition collection
for those taking part.
A host of celebrities and writers
have agreed to drop-in during the
day and read their own favourite
Edwin Morgan poem.
The City Read will culminate in a
very special evening at Aye Write!
The Bank of Scotland Book Festival
From Saturn to Glasgow: A celebration
of Edwin Morgan, Sunday
March 9th 7.30pm.
» 1 Comment
1"mr."
at Tuesday, 12 February 2008 13:13
Poetry is the life blood of the educated and literate engaged in self anguish or self reflection. If this promtion of poetry can be made relevant to the poor of Cambuslang, Springburn, Easterhouse then it would be money well spent. I fear that the message of poetry - love, poverty and peace will be lost to the majority of Glasgow citizens as they struggle to cope with their own trials and tribulations of daily living. Don't waste our money on pursuits of the rich and famous.
» Post Comment
|
