Aldeburgh Poetry Festival
21st ALDEBURGH POETRY FESTIVAL • 6–8 NOVEMBER 2009
FESTIVAL REVIEW
The Aldeburgh Poetry Festival celebrates its 21st with a record-breaking year
Tom Paulin said it was ‘the best poetry Festival - indeed, literary festival' that he had ever been to, and with a record overall attendance figure of 4,630, there was certainly something of a buzz to the 21st Aldeburgh Poetry Festival. Thank you to all of you who made it and also those who completed the online Festival survey. An overwhelming 92% of you rated your Festival experience as either ‘excellent’ (49%) or ‘good’ (43%). Philip Levine was chosen as the ‘favourite’ Festival poet, his reading was described by one attendee as ‘an inspirational visual and auditory experience’. Other highlights included: Geoffrey Hill, who showed a surprisingly lighter side when explaining a ‘tum-tutty, tum-titty’ rhyme scheme and asking the audience not to snigger; Roger Robinson delivering ‘one of the most energetic readings Aldeburgh has ever seen’ and the ‘witty, acerbic and kooky’ Kate Fox causing hysterics with her Geordie take on existentialism, ‘Why I?’
Next time... The 22nd Aldeburgh Poetry Festival will be held on 5 - 7 November 2010.
21st ALDEBURGH POETRY FESTIVAL • 6–8 NOVEMBER 2009
The UK’s leading annual international contemporary poetry festival celebrates its 21st year with an exhilarating line-up of world-class poets. Aldeburgh is renowned for the quality of its programme – mixing famous names, established poets, ‘well kept secrets’ and intriguing new talent. With 49 events (15 entirely free) a weekend of ‘best words in the best order’ is promised in Suffolk’s idyllic seaside town.
What makes the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival unique?
To borrow words by Tom Paulin – one of this year’s 20 featured poets – Aldeburgh generates its own unique atmosphere “where ideas fly about and bang into each other.”
• Launched in 1989, it is the oldest festival in the UK dedicated to contemporary poetry
• Aldeburgh attracts the UK’s largest and most discerning poetry audiences each year (some 45,000 attendances since 1989)
• Aldeburgh features an all-new line-up each year (350 poets from 32 countries to date)
• Creative, quality programming led by artistic directors who are also published poets
• Aldeburgh combines Suffolk seaside magic with an international reputation for culture
Highlights of 2009 …
Geoffrey Hill – There is no finer way to celebrate the Festival’s 21st year than with the man many regard as England’s greatest living poet. A rare reading from Geoffrey Hill, whose visionary complex writing demands engagement and thought in a world where language is increasingly instantaneous and disposable.
Philip Levine – One of the most significant US poets of the last 50 years appearing in the UK for the first time in 30 years. Levine’s familial, social and economic portrait of working class America has left a monumental testimony of mid-20th century American life. His poetry of the assembly line finds a ‘voice for the voiceless’.
Albert Goldbath – One of America’s better kept secrets, Albert Goldbarth makes his UK debut as Aldeburgh continues to blaze the trail for intoducing American poets to UK audiences. Winner of the Mark Twain Award for a poet’s contribution to humour, his poetry combines pop-culture fanaticism with erudite research into the far corners of modern culture.
Also joining the 21st celebratory Festival are the UK’s best loved comic-poet John Hegley, cultural broadcaster Tom Paulin, Radio 4 Saturday Live regular Kate Fox, Italian Valerio Magrelli – launching his first UK publication from Faber alongside his translator Jamie McKendrick – Pakistani born poet, film-maker and artist Imtiaz Dharker, Trinidadian writer Roger Robinson, senior British poet, playwright and novelist Maureen Duffy.
On Saturday 7 November the Wonderful Beast Theatre Company will perform ‘YES’ a celebration of the life and work of one of the UK’s best-loved funny, passionate and political poets – Adrian Mitchell. This specially-created cabaret for Aldeburgh will feature Roger Lloyd Pack, Diana Quick, Adrian’s widow and his daughter, Celia and Sasha Mitchell, and a dazzling ensemble of dancers and musicians.
The weekend will also see the announcement of the winner of this year’s Aldeburgh First Collection Prize – £3,000 plus an invitation to read at next year’s Festival – and a reading by last year’s winner, young Irish poet Ciaran Berry.
To book tickets for the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, please see The Poetry Trust
Luton's finest export - the 'scandalously talented' John Hegley
From his 'Luton Bungalow' to poetry superstar, comic genius John Hegley will reflect on his journey on Saturday 7 November during the 21st Aldeburgh Poetry Festival. Audiences can expect an hour of inspired poetry, comedy and music from the Comedy Store and Edinburgh Festival veteran. He will be prompted by the dynamic Peggy Hughes, and audiences may well be called upon to provide harmonic backing vocals to his droll reflections on the misery of existence - as well as the more serious subjects of potatoes, croutons and dogs.
John Hegley's Journey, Saturday 7 November
James Cable Room, 11.00am - Noon, £8
Family Reading: John Hegley, Friday 6 November
Jubilee Hall, 6.00 - 7.00pm, £6
Peter Blegvad - a rare solo set by the engaging singer-songwriter
New York born renaissance man Peter Blegvad is best known for his inspired Independent on Sunday comic strip 'Leviathan'. He is also a fine guitarist and an exceptionally talented singer-songwriter. A member of cult bands Slapp Happy and Henry Cow, his songs have been covered by, among others, Fairport Convention and Leo Sayer. Join him in Aldeburgh, for a timely musical interlude in the weekend of words, and a rare chance to hear him solo and acoustic - with his trademark poetic wordplay, surrealism and cool tunes.
Saturday 7 November, Jubilee Hall, 5.45-6.30pm, £6
Shortlist announced for Aldeburgh First Collection Prize 2009
The shortlist for the 2009 Aldeburgh First Collection Prize - one of the most influential and established poetry prizes in the UK - signals the arrival of five authentic and distinctive new poets.
Judge David Constantine says "contemporary poetry in the UK is thriving" with 2009 attracting a record 92 entries. The Poetry Trust announced the shortlist to coincide with National Poetry Day:
Sian Hughes for The Missing (Salt Publishing)
J O Morgan for Natural Mechanical (C B Editions)
Andrew Philip for The Ambulance Box (Salt Publishing)
Philip Rush for Big Purple Garden Paintings (Yew Tree Press)
Dawn Wood for Quarry (Templar Poetry)
The result will be announced on Saturday 7 November during the 21st Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, 6-8 November 2009. The winner receives a cash prize of £3,000, a weeks 'protected' writing time on the Suffolk coast and a fee-paying invitation to read at the 2010 Aldeburgh Poetry Festival.
Your invitation to the Festival launch party
Thursday 5 November, 2009, 6.00 - 7.30pm Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Come and raise the curtain on the 21st Aldeburgh Poetry Festival with wine, canapés, friends and poetry. All are welcome on Thursday 5 November to the Festival reception for an exhibition preview of 'Poetic Polydipsia & other pictures' by Peter Blegvad and the book launch of Casual Knack of Living: New and Selected Poems by Aldeburgh's foremost international translator, critic and poet Herbert Lomas. If you would like to join us, RSVP by Friday 30 October to admin@thepoetrytrust.org or 01986 835950
Close Reading, Good Writing - a pre-Festival poetry course from the Poetry School
Enjoy the unique Aldeburgh spirit for longer with a Poetry School course led by David Constantine in the run up to the Festival. Three mornings of close reading, discussing, thinking about and translating poetry - all activities to refill your writerly reservoirs. There are still, amazingly, a few places left on this course which includes a one-to-one feedback session with David to talk about your poetry in progress.
P.S David Constantine was a tutor on one of The Poetry Trust's own residential courses a few years back and we unequivocally recommend his superlative skills, wisdom and care.
Church Hall of St Peter & St Paul Church, Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Wednesday 4 - Friday 6 November, 10.30am - 1pm
£130 (£90 concs).
To book tickets for the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival and all related events, please see The Poetry Trust
For more information on the lovely town of Aldeburgh please see:
Aldeburgh Town Guide
Restaurants in Aldeburgh Guide
Accommodation in Aldeburgh Guide
FESTIVAL REVIEW
The Aldeburgh Poetry Festival celebrates its 21st with a record-breaking year
Tom Paulin said it was ‘the best poetry Festival - indeed, literary festival' that he had ever been to, and with a record overall attendance figure of 4,630, there was certainly something of a buzz to the 21st Aldeburgh Poetry Festival. Thank you to all of you who made it and also those who completed the online Festival survey. An overwhelming 92% of you rated your Festival experience as either ‘excellent’ (49%) or ‘good’ (43%). Philip Levine was chosen as the ‘favourite’ Festival poet, his reading was described by one attendee as ‘an inspirational visual and auditory experience’. Other highlights included: Geoffrey Hill, who showed a surprisingly lighter side when explaining a ‘tum-tutty, tum-titty’ rhyme scheme and asking the audience not to snigger; Roger Robinson delivering ‘one of the most energetic readings Aldeburgh has ever seen’ and the ‘witty, acerbic and kooky’ Kate Fox causing hysterics with her Geordie take on existentialism, ‘Why I?’
Next time... The 22nd Aldeburgh Poetry Festival will be held on 5 - 7 November 2010.
21st ALDEBURGH POETRY FESTIVAL • 6–8 NOVEMBER 2009
The UK’s leading annual international contemporary poetry festival celebrates its 21st year with an exhilarating line-up of world-class poets. Aldeburgh is renowned for the quality of its programme – mixing famous names, established poets, ‘well kept secrets’ and intriguing new talent. With 49 events (15 entirely free) a weekend of ‘best words in the best order’ is promised in Suffolk’s idyllic seaside town.
What makes the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival unique?
To borrow words by Tom Paulin – one of this year’s 20 featured poets – Aldeburgh generates its own unique atmosphere “where ideas fly about and bang into each other.”
• Launched in 1989, it is the oldest festival in the UK dedicated to contemporary poetry
• Aldeburgh attracts the UK’s largest and most discerning poetry audiences each year (some 45,000 attendances since 1989)
• Aldeburgh features an all-new line-up each year (350 poets from 32 countries to date)
• Creative, quality programming led by artistic directors who are also published poets
• Aldeburgh combines Suffolk seaside magic with an international reputation for culture
Highlights of 2009 …
Geoffrey Hill – There is no finer way to celebrate the Festival’s 21st year than with the man many regard as England’s greatest living poet. A rare reading from Geoffrey Hill, whose visionary complex writing demands engagement and thought in a world where language is increasingly instantaneous and disposable.
Philip Levine – One of the most significant US poets of the last 50 years appearing in the UK for the first time in 30 years. Levine’s familial, social and economic portrait of working class America has left a monumental testimony of mid-20th century American life. His poetry of the assembly line finds a ‘voice for the voiceless’.
Albert Goldbath – One of America’s better kept secrets, Albert Goldbarth makes his UK debut as Aldeburgh continues to blaze the trail for intoducing American poets to UK audiences. Winner of the Mark Twain Award for a poet’s contribution to humour, his poetry combines pop-culture fanaticism with erudite research into the far corners of modern culture.
Also joining the 21st celebratory Festival are the UK’s best loved comic-poet John Hegley, cultural broadcaster Tom Paulin, Radio 4 Saturday Live regular Kate Fox, Italian Valerio Magrelli – launching his first UK publication from Faber alongside his translator Jamie McKendrick – Pakistani born poet, film-maker and artist Imtiaz Dharker, Trinidadian writer Roger Robinson, senior British poet, playwright and novelist Maureen Duffy.
On Saturday 7 November the Wonderful Beast Theatre Company will perform ‘YES’ a celebration of the life and work of one of the UK’s best-loved funny, passionate and political poets – Adrian Mitchell. This specially-created cabaret for Aldeburgh will feature Roger Lloyd Pack, Diana Quick, Adrian’s widow and his daughter, Celia and Sasha Mitchell, and a dazzling ensemble of dancers and musicians.
The weekend will also see the announcement of the winner of this year’s Aldeburgh First Collection Prize – £3,000 plus an invitation to read at next year’s Festival – and a reading by last year’s winner, young Irish poet Ciaran Berry.
To book tickets for the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, please see The Poetry Trust
Luton's finest export - the 'scandalously talented' John Hegley
From his 'Luton Bungalow' to poetry superstar, comic genius John Hegley will reflect on his journey on Saturday 7 November during the 21st Aldeburgh Poetry Festival. Audiences can expect an hour of inspired poetry, comedy and music from the Comedy Store and Edinburgh Festival veteran. He will be prompted by the dynamic Peggy Hughes, and audiences may well be called upon to provide harmonic backing vocals to his droll reflections on the misery of existence - as well as the more serious subjects of potatoes, croutons and dogs.
John Hegley's Journey, Saturday 7 November
James Cable Room, 11.00am - Noon, £8
Family Reading: John Hegley, Friday 6 November
Jubilee Hall, 6.00 - 7.00pm, £6
Peter Blegvad - a rare solo set by the engaging singer-songwriter
New York born renaissance man Peter Blegvad is best known for his inspired Independent on Sunday comic strip 'Leviathan'. He is also a fine guitarist and an exceptionally talented singer-songwriter. A member of cult bands Slapp Happy and Henry Cow, his songs have been covered by, among others, Fairport Convention and Leo Sayer. Join him in Aldeburgh, for a timely musical interlude in the weekend of words, and a rare chance to hear him solo and acoustic - with his trademark poetic wordplay, surrealism and cool tunes.
Saturday 7 November, Jubilee Hall, 5.45-6.30pm, £6
Shortlist announced for Aldeburgh First Collection Prize 2009
The shortlist for the 2009 Aldeburgh First Collection Prize - one of the most influential and established poetry prizes in the UK - signals the arrival of five authentic and distinctive new poets.
Judge David Constantine says "contemporary poetry in the UK is thriving" with 2009 attracting a record 92 entries. The Poetry Trust announced the shortlist to coincide with National Poetry Day:
Sian Hughes for The Missing (Salt Publishing)
J O Morgan for Natural Mechanical (C B Editions)
Andrew Philip for The Ambulance Box (Salt Publishing)
Philip Rush for Big Purple Garden Paintings (Yew Tree Press)
Dawn Wood for Quarry (Templar Poetry)
The result will be announced on Saturday 7 November during the 21st Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, 6-8 November 2009. The winner receives a cash prize of £3,000, a weeks 'protected' writing time on the Suffolk coast and a fee-paying invitation to read at the 2010 Aldeburgh Poetry Festival.
Your invitation to the Festival launch party
Thursday 5 November, 2009, 6.00 - 7.30pm Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Come and raise the curtain on the 21st Aldeburgh Poetry Festival with wine, canapés, friends and poetry. All are welcome on Thursday 5 November to the Festival reception for an exhibition preview of 'Poetic Polydipsia & other pictures' by Peter Blegvad and the book launch of Casual Knack of Living: New and Selected Poems by Aldeburgh's foremost international translator, critic and poet Herbert Lomas. If you would like to join us, RSVP by Friday 30 October to admin@thepoetrytrust.org or 01986 835950
Close Reading, Good Writing - a pre-Festival poetry course from the Poetry School
Enjoy the unique Aldeburgh spirit for longer with a Poetry School course led by David Constantine in the run up to the Festival. Three mornings of close reading, discussing, thinking about and translating poetry - all activities to refill your writerly reservoirs. There are still, amazingly, a few places left on this course which includes a one-to-one feedback session with David to talk about your poetry in progress.
P.S David Constantine was a tutor on one of The Poetry Trust's own residential courses a few years back and we unequivocally recommend his superlative skills, wisdom and care.
Church Hall of St Peter & St Paul Church, Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Wednesday 4 - Friday 6 November, 10.30am - 1pm
£130 (£90 concs).
To book tickets for the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival and all related events, please see The Poetry Trust
For more information on the lovely town of Aldeburgh please see:
Aldeburgh Town Guide
Restaurants in Aldeburgh Guide
Accommodation in Aldeburgh Guide
