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Call of the Page (Alan & Karen)

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

The 1000 Verse Renga

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The Renga Project
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has now reached over 1000 verses
and is now extended right up to Christmas.

Roger
McGough: "This is a lovely idea."


An open invitation to poets and the public
This is an open invitation to all the residents of Bath, and to all the poets and writers in Bath to collobrate on this unique project.

We urge you to help us create a super poem that is jointly written by the public and local, national and international poets.

We believe this super renga will stand as an extraordinary social document, as well as a riveting poem, all at the same time.


Competition
A competition is also being planned for the best verses in various categories: poets local and international; the general public; and from children.

This is a unique project drawing experienced writers and international haiku and renga poets and their contributions together with from the general public.

As the Japanese Embassy roving "Japan-UK 150" haiku & renga poet-in-residence currently based at Bath Central Library (situated upstairs in The Podium Shopping Centre) and in partnership with Bath Libraries from June to December 2009 (and New Year 2010), I set a challenge starting on National Poetry Day in October for the residents of Bath and North East Somerset to create the world's longest poem using the renga form of poety (see below).



This project becomes more than a poem, it allows people to reveal aspects of their life, their worries, their fears, it creates a unique time capsule for the residents of this area:

and with verse contributions from all over the world from people who do care about people beyond their geographical boundaries:



Bath Chronicle: Councillor Terry Gazzard, Bath and North East Somerset Council's cabinet member for tourism, leisure and culture said: "B&NES' libraries are a place where words can come alive and everyone has the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Schemes like this poetry project bring the whole community together and reinforce Bath's reputation as a global centre for the arts."
Bath Chronicle quote me:
"Libraries are a place of words, and as someone who promotes the love of words, what better place could I choose to launch this incredible type of poem, where the public write the poem – not the poet."
I also want everyone to join in with this totally inclusive group poem!

Bath Central Library: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives

8 comments:

Little Onion said...

Hi Alan - 1000 verse renga - a 'senku' - here's a link to one that Alec Finlay started in 2005 :

http://www.alecfinlay.com/yai/renga_project.html

Today I'm on 'Dog Watch'.

Paul

Area 17 said...

Thanks Paul! ;-)

I've had a nice chat with Alec a while back, and he's really keen for this senku to be completed, he's been really supportive,which is fantastic.

senku: senku

Our first renku will start in just a few hours at Bath Central Library and I'm certainly hoping that "The Rest of the World" will join in to help the City of Bath residents complete this 1000 Verse Renga. ;-)

Alan

Ralf Bröker said...

Unfortunately we do not visit Bath, but London this weekend. So I can't join. Good luck to you and all renga-writers!

Best wishes
Ralf

Alison said...

Too cool! Are they going to publish the poem when it's finished?

Area 17 said...

Thanks Ralf for your renga verse, it's up on the display wall of Bath Central Library!

I really appreciate it, and quite a few people were reading the new verses just a few minutes after I put them up.

Alan

Bath Chronicle newspaper:
1000 Verse Renga article

Wiltshire Times:
1000 Verse Renga article

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Ashi said...

The Roman city of Bath
and Japanese art
united in modern Renga
-
after many years
revisiting Bath by the Internet

Area 17 said...

Thanks Ashi, I will definitely include your verse!

Thanks Paul for the children's verses you sent me, lovely!

Thanks Ralf for sending me verses and for your continuing support in my projects!

Thanks Alison for being such a supporter too!

Alan

Editor said...

I wish I was there to see the beauty of it all

-Sincerely,

Raquel D. BAILEY (contributor)

http://lyricalpassionpoetry.yolasite.com