From May 26 to 31, more than 20 poets representing 13 countries will perform their works every night at the University of Natal’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. Now in its seventh year, this international festival, hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of Natal), has stamped itself on the international literary calendar and will showcase a wide variety of cultures and poetic styles. Poetry Africa will deliver a week full of poetry in motion. Apart from the evening theatre sessions the Poetry Africa day experience includes poetry seminars and workshops, poetry in prison, poetry with street children, linking with local poetry groups, performance opportunities for the public, poetry in tertiary institutions, schools and other venues. Satellite events will also take place in Mpumalanga, culminating with a Poetry Africa festival package at Nelspruit Botanic Gardens on
May 24, featuring Lesego Rampolokeng, Jaap Blonk (The Netherlands), Bob Holman (United States), Ray Phiri, Louis Mhlanga, Gogomagongo and others.Other visiting poets include Cai Tianxin (China), Denisa Comanescu (Romania), Edwin Thumboo (Singapore), Akeem Lasisi (Nigeria), Patricia Nolan (Ireland), Anzhelina Polonskaya, (Russia), Susan Stenson (Canada), Timothy Wangusa (Uganda), Musaemura Zimunya (Zimbabwe), Zrika Abdallah (Morocco) and South Africans Robert Berold, Diana Ferrus, Norman Kester, Keith Kunene, Kgafela
oa Magogodi, Lebogang Mashile, Don Mattera and Dennis Brutus (below). — M&G reporter