WORD! Online with Antony Owen and the Bogside Story (Book Launch)

  • This PAST event happened on: Thu, Aug 27, 2020

  • Venue:www.facebook.com/wordpoetryuk
  • Time:7.30pm - 8pm
  • Cost:FREE
  • Main Contact:0116 2522455
  • Web Address:www.wordpoetry.co.uk
  • Join us in partnership with Leicester Cathedral for the online launch of a new WORD! anthology exploring the Northern Ireland Troubles and work of the renowned Bogside Artists towards peace and reconciliation.

    Our award-winning headline, Antony Owen, has authored six poetry collections since 2009. His latest The Nagasaki Elder was shortlisted for the coveted Ted Hughes Award and he is one of the leading active writers on war and peace poetry in 21st century poetry. Antony’s work is taught at regular poetry workshops in Hiroshima and also appears in a national UK peace education resource by CND Peace Education.

    Praise for Antony:

    "A tour de force of power and beauty. Heartfelt poetry leaving us with the impression of hope" 

    - Roy Mcfarlane on 'The Unknown Civillian'  

    “Antony Owen is the bravest British poet of his generation. He goes to places poetry doesn't visit and lingering there, crafts acts of testimony and tribute. He does what art is supposed to; raising us the highest so that we can see the deepest. 

    - Joe Horgan on 'The Nagasaki Elder'


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    Bogside Story - and other tales of truth and reconciliation - is a collection of poetry and artwork responding to the People’s Gallery, a series of twelve outdoor murals located in the Bogside neighbourhood of Derry, Northern Ireland. Painted by a trio of artists from Derry, brothers Tom and William Kelly, and Kevin Hasson, they tell the story of the events surrounding the Northern Ireland Troubles as they unfolded within the Bogside community - from the Battle of the Bogside and Bloody Sunday, to the historic peace accord.

    In this publication's connecting poems and artworks, such historical events are depicted and remembered alongside a number of other connected narratives. The work has been created by artists and writers using mental health services and attending two visual arts collectives, Artspace and Artscafe, and two writing groups, Bradgate Writers and Showcase Smoothie - established and award winning projects led by BrightSparks Arts in Mental Health CIO in collaboration with Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. Like the book’s inspiring source material, its authors and artists speak to the tenets of healing - reflection, enquiry, change and hope - for then, now and the future. 

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    To get involved - follow 'Word Poetry UK' on Facebook - WORD!'s lockdown project and growing community. Alternatively, send us your 20 second (ish) poetry/spoken word filmed extracts - responding to the theme of 'Every Brilliant Thing'. Film your extract in a landscape format and a well lit setting. We'll social media share as many extracts as possible and include a part within a communal poem film, pieced together by WORD! Associate Artist, Mellow Baku. Send extracts by Wetransfer or Dropbox to [email protected] - or drop a line for more info.

    Our August WORD! will premier on our Facebook 'WORD!' group at 7.30pm on August 27th, and shared here asap afterwards!