University poets take centre stage at launch of Sounds New Poetry Festival

Poets from the University will take centre stage alongside international figures when they launch the Sounds New Poetry Festival in Canterbury next week.

This new celebration of international poetry will form part of the established Sounds New Contemporary Music Festival and will run from 21-28 May.

Jointly organised by the University's centres for Modern Poetry and Creative Writing, Sounds New Poetry will see leading poets collaborating with prominent composers and musicians to showcase their work.

Poets featured this year will include Peter Gizzi, Richard Price, Catherine Smith and Matthew Welton.

Sounds New Poetry's Patricia Debney said: ‘This promises to be a very exciting new showcase for the best in poetry and contemporary music.

‘We've attracted an internationally renowned line-up, including the award-winning US poet Peter Gizzi, for a programme that will offer work reflecting a dazzling array of themes and inspirations.

'The Sounds New Contemporary Music Festival is now an established highlight of Canterbury’s cultural calendar and I’m sure that the Sounds New Poetry Festival running alongside will only add to its appeal.'

Full programme details for the Sounds New Poetry Festival are available at the Sounds New Contemporary Music Festival web site at: http://www.soundsnew.org.uk/events.htm

Contact: pressoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 2:18pm 12 May 2011