History of National Poetry Day
National Poetry Day has been celebrated since 1994, with the aim of bringing together more people from all backgrounds and giving voice to the power of words. Every year, National Poetry Day is held on the first Thursday of October, and the date for 2021 is Thursday 7 October.
National Poetry Day was founded by William Sieghart and Olivier Py, two writers that were passionate about sharing the joy and passion of poetry with the world. They wanted to bring the importance of poetry to a wider audience through National Poetry Day, and from that moment, National Poetry Day has become a major event across the UK.
This annual celebration is all about connecting people to poetry in all its forms and inviting them to explore, engage with and enjoy poems. On National Poetry Day, you can find a wide range of events, activities and initiatives across the UK where people can bring poems to life and share their thoughts on topics such as the power of words, life, love, stories, death and more.
During this day, people can attend events or take part in activities like readings and writing workshops. Other typical events that occur on National Poetry Day include storytelling, songwriting and spoken-word performances.
The National Poetry Day poems are always revealed at least one month before the day itself, giving people plenty of time to read and interpret the poems before engaging with them on the day itself.
How to Celebrate National Poetry Day 2021
Celebrating National Poetry Day 2021 is easy! You can start by reading the National Poetry Day 2021 poem, which is from the 13th century poet Rumi. You can then explore the other poems on the National Poetry Day website, or take part in the various events and activities organised by schools, libraries, literary organisations, and bookstores.
You can also attend some of the live events, or host your own by inviting people to share a poem they love. But if you can’t attend any of the events, you can always use the hashtag #NationalPoetryDay to share a poem or thought on social media, or even write your own poem!
What’s great about National Poetry Day is that it doesn’t just have to be about reciting the poem prescribed by the organisers. You can celebrate the day by exploring different styles of poetry, like haiku, sonnets and free verse. Or you can use creative writing prompts, like the ones on the National Poetry Day website, to write your own poem.
At its heart, National Poetry Day is about bringing together more people from all walks of life to share the power of words. So if you’re looking for a fun and creative way to celebrate National Poetry Day 2021, get creative, get reading, and get sharing!
The Impact of National Poetry Day
Each year, National Poetry Day provides a great opportunity for people to come together and explore the amazing and unique art form of poetry. It’s an event that brings poetry to the forefront, allowing people to appreciate and be inspired by some of the world’s famous and most beloved poets.
But more importantly, National Poetry Day has a lasting impact, inspiring people to write their own poetry and share it with others. It encourages people to express their feelings and thoughts in words, and helps to explore inner feelings that some might not have thought to express before.
Furthermore, National Poetry Day promotes a sense of community, as it gives people an opportunity to come together to share the passion and beauty of poetry. And by sharing experiences and interpretations of a poem, people come away with a greater understanding and appreciation of poetry and the art form as a whole.
For all of these reasons, National Poetry Day is a powerful event that helps to build bridges, promote dialogue and inspire creativity. And each year, millions of people have been enriched, inspired, and empowered after taking part in this celebration.
National Poetry Day Resources
The National Poetry Day website is a great resource for poetry lovers. It is packed with resources and activities, like poetry readings, competitions, and interactive experiences that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
In addition, National Poetry Day has an online library filled with hundreds of poems from famous poets like William Shakespeare and William Wordsworth, as well as lesser known poets. This online library is an excellent way to explore a wide range of poems and find unexpected inspiration.
National Poetry Day also has a section dedicated to the history of the day and its founders, including videos, articles, and interviews featuring poetry experts and writers. These resources make it easier to understand the event and get excited about it.
In 2021, National Poetry Day has also teamed up with Netflix to host a virtual event with some of the world’s best poets. This event will be streamed live on the National Poetry Day YouTube channel and will feature inspiring conversations and performances.
Final Thoughts on National Poetry Day 2021
National Poetry Day is a great opportunity to bring the power of words to the forefront and connect people from all around the world. It is an event for everyone, regardless of age, race, or background, and it encourages people to come together to explore, appreciate, and share the art of poetry.
Each year National Poetry Day provides an opportunity for us to reflect, express ourselves and discover something new. So if you are looking for a meaningful and creative way to celebrate National Poetry Day 2021, explore the resources on the website, or join a virtual or physical event. And, most of all, enjoy words and their power to move, heal and inspire.
Understanding Poetic Devices
Poetry is an incredibly powerful art form and one of the most effective ways of expressing emotion, ideas and experiences. To become a master of the written word, it’s important to understand the different devices and techniques used in poetry. Here are 8 of the most common poetic devices that you should know.
Similes – Similes compare two objects, people, or feelings using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’. For example, ‘She danced like a butterfly,’ or ‘her eyes sparkled like stars.’ Using similes is a great tool for bringing vivid imagery to your writing.
Metaphors – Similar to similes, metaphors also compare two things, but without the need for words like ‘like’ or ‘as’. For example, ‘The night was a sheet of darkness,’ or ‘she was an angel from above.’ Metaphors are very useful in helping to convey a point or feeling quickly and effectively.
Personification – Personification is the act of attributing human qualities and characteristics to things that are not alive, such as nature. For example, ‘the sun smiled down on me’ or ‘the wind whistled through the trees.’ Using personification helps to bring inanimate objects to life.
Rhythm – Rhythm is used in poetry to create a pattern that is pleasing to the ear. This pattern helps to give poetry a certain flow that brings the poem together. Rhythm is created by using a combination of stressed and non-stressed syllables in poetry, and can be used in combination with rhyme for an even stronger effect.
Rhyme – Rhyme is another device used in writing to create a rhythmic pattern. This pattern is achieved when two words have a similar sound at the end. For example, ‘pear’ and ‘chair’, or ‘sky’ and ‘high’. Using rhyme helps to make writing more musical and enjoyable to the listener.
Alliteration – Alliteration is when two words with similar sounds are placed in close proximity. For example, ‘My dreams of distant shores’ or ‘The sweet smell of success.’ Alliteration helps to create a poetic feeling and captures the attention of the reader.
Assonance – Assonance is another device used to create a rhythm in writing by repeating a vowel sound throughout a line or phrase. For example, ‘Safe and sound’ or ‘Rise and shine.’ By using this device, writers can create a pleasing rhythm that can be used to emphasis important ideas.
Onomatopoeia – Onomatopoeia is the use of words that sound like what they represent. For example, ‘buzz’, ‘hiss’ or ‘chirp.’ This device is often used to describe sounds that animals make or to emphasize a sound, making the poem even more vivid and interesting.
Celebrating Poetry on a Global Scale
National Poetry Day is a great example of how poetry can be celebrated and shared on a larger scale. But poetry is not just limited to the UK – there are many ways in which people around the world can come together to celebrate poetry and share their love for the written word.
For example, UNESCO has declared April 21st as the International Day of Poetry in order to celebrate the immense potential of poetry to bridge cultures, bring people together, and express ideas that can cause positive change in the world. Every year, people from all over the world come together to celebrate UNESCO’s International Day of Poetry and share their thoughts, ideas, and writing with each other.
There are also hundreds of international poetry organizations dedicated to promoting attention and appreciation of poetry, such as Poetry International, Poetry Society, and Writers and Poets United, who all hold various workshops, readings and events throughout the year.
Finally, social media has allowed poets to come together and share their writings on a large scale. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram and blogging sites have made it easier than ever to share poems and connect with like-minded poets from all over the world.
In today’s digital world, poetry is more accessible than ever and with so many resources available to explore, celebrate, and share poetry on a global scale – there’s never been a better time to get involved.
Poetry and Emotional Healing
The power of poetry cannot be overstated. It is often used as an outlet for expressing feelings and emotions that may be too difficult to articulate in normal conversation. Writing poetry can provide an opportunity for individuals to process complex feelings, confront difficult experiences, and ultimately, help to heal.
Poetry provides a safe space to work through difficult emotions and confront different aspects of oneself. It allows us to explore and understand our emotions, and can help to heal psychological wounds and break down inner barriers that might be holding us back.
In addition, reading other people’s poems can help to connect us with those around us. When we read the words of another poet, we can often feel a sense of intimacy and understanding that can’t be achieved through other forms of communication.
Poetry is also a powerful tool for self-expression. By writing our own poetry, we not only gain a greater understanding of ourselves but also gain confidence in our abilities to express ourselves and tell our own stories.
When used wisely, poetry can be a powerful tool for emotional healing, exploration, and self-expression. So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to articulate emotions – turn to the power of words and let poetry be your guide.
