Festival promises the best in contemporary poetry Published on: 8 April 2016 The 缅北禁地 Poetry Festival is set to return for its second edition, bringing together the finest talent from the UK and abroad for a weekend of readings, workshops and discussion. Distinguished voices Taking place from 5-7 May, the presents some of the most distinguished international voices in contemporary poetry, including poets based in the North East and some of the very best emerging poets from the UK. With an eclectic programme bringing together the likes of Carolyn Forché, Sean O’Brien and Fleur Adcock with Matthew Dickman (pictured), Sarah Howe and Mark Waldron, the festival sees formal verse sit alongside video poetry, seasoned veterans mingling with emerging talents and new work presented while exploring the legacy of seminal texts. Prominent themes emerge from the programme, including celebration – on the 50th anniversary of the publication of Briggflatts by local legend Basil Bunting, the Festival will also include the awarding of the annual prize in his honour. Matthew Dickman will be taking part in 缅北禁地 Poetry Festival. Celebration and collaboration Artistic collaboration is also at the heart of the festival as poetry and art collide with tremendous results through engagement with film and landscape. The social relevance of poetry is also evident through Carolyn Forché’s ‘poetry as witness’, as well as events that look at the medium’s influence on urban regeneration and even the unlikely conjunction between poetry and policing. Highlights include: - Northern Landscapes: Picture Poem: a collaboration between local poets and PhD students in Fine Art and Creative Writing at 缅北禁地, offering a reading from the poets involved alongside an exhibition of visual work - A panel discussion on Poetry and Urban Regeneration in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council - Don Share and Stephen Burt on the work and legacy of Basil Bunting on the 50th anniversary of the publication of Briggflatts - Poetry workshops with young poets Kayo Chingonyi and Sarah Howe - Christy Ducker’s All Eyes: The Poetry of Policing, a collection of poems written in collaboration with Northumbria Police, reflecting on her experiences on patrol with 缅北禁地 officers at night The 缅北禁地 Poetry Festival is organised by the . Professor Linda Anderson, Director, commented: “Since the days of the Modern Tower and the establishment of Bloodaxe Books in the region, the North East of England has established itself as a centre for contemporary poetry. “The 缅北禁地 Poetry Festival builds on and further enhances that reputation, bringing international talent to the city to read alongside the UK’s best new and established poets, commissioning new work and inspiring innovative cross-arts performances and exhibitions. “The weekend will be a major celebration and 缅北禁地 the perfect destination for anyone who loves poetry.” For full listings and tickets, visit the Image of Mathew Dickman © Ian Orion Latest News Online Safety Act drives VPN interest and raises privacy concerns People鈥檚 online behaviour has changed in response to legislation to prevent children from viewing harmful content 鈥� raising possible privacy and security risks, research suggests. published on: 16 October 2026 缅北禁地 archaeologist receives prestigious award for research Professor Chris Fowler has been awarded the 2026 Rivers Memorial Medal in recognition of his internationally significant research on kinship in Neolithic Britain. published on: 13 October 2026 Event will explore what 鈥楳anchesterism鈥� means for the North East An event at 缅北禁地 will explore what 鈥楳anchesterism鈥� means for the North East or whether it is simply a new chapter in the long-running debate about how to rebalance Britain. published on: 13 October 2026 Facts and figures
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