There is a range of poets performing at various venues at this year`s event: Ashley Dowds, Hugh Hodge, Patricia Schonstein, John Maytham, Nic de Jager, Kobus Moolman, Lungiswa Nyatyowa, Lerato Sibanda, Philip de Vos, Diana Ferrus, Lara Kirsten, Fanie Olivier, Koos van der Merwe, Mavis Vermaak, Wendy Woodward and many more. A complete list of all the performing poets can be found at mcgregorpoetryfestival.co.za.
Billy Kennedy, Chairman of the Poetry in MGregor committee, believes that Poetry plays an important part in our lives: “Someone once wrote that much of the violence and psychological illness and unease in our society is probably due to poetry deprivation. Bigotry and prejudice and fundamentalism contract the mind, and our world is full of it. Poetry expands the mind. It limbers up the imagination. It does to the mind what Yoga does for the body. Poetry can challenge us, uplift us, reshape us and recreate us. Like no other force it can give us a deeper awareness of one another and our interconnectedness.”’
Kennedy says that it was an easy task to name this year`s Poetry weekend: Rooted in Heart: “So much of what we have achieved as a committee, with the invaluable support of those poets who have supported us from the onset of our initiative, has been born of heart. We now have NPO status and all our funds are directed to nurturing and Growing Poetry and supporting various community projects in the village of McGregor. Poetry in McGregor welcomes not only acclaimed, published poets but young, undiscovered talent.”
As part of the Poetry in McGregor Weekend, the MAC project will also be hosting the Schools’ Festival on the morning of Friday 25 August. Over 800 pupils from schools in the village and surrounding areas will be attending the event. Cape Town based artist Ha Man! together with his partner, Joke Debaere, will be presenting music, songs, drama and poetry. The Afrikaans group Ruk!, two dynamic young performers from Cape Town, will also be performing for the children at this exciting event.
For those poets who would like to participate spontaneously a number of open mic sessions will also be taking place during the “Poetry in McGregor” weekend. These sessions are hosted by Hugh Hodge and no tickets or booking is required. Anyone wishing to read or recite their poetry is welcome – from the well-known to budding, new poets.
This year's Poetry in McGregor Weekend is introducing a haiku competition for all poets and visitors. The theme for the haiku is Rooted in Heart. Entries must be hand delivered to the Temenos reception desk, corner of Bree and Voortrekker Street, between the 25 – 27 August. Winners to be announced on Sunday at 12pm. All entries must be clearly written or typed and include contact details, preferably a cell phone number. The winner will walk away with R1000 plus two nights accommodation at the beautiful Temenos retreat www.temenos.org.
On Thursday 24 August at 7pm there will be a Poetry Quiz. Bookings essential, call 023 6251871 or email az.oc.lavitsefyrteoprogergcm@ofni to book.
Tickets available from Computicket.
