September 29 marks the
second anniversary of 100 000 Poets for Change, a global event initiated by US poets Michael Rothenberg and Terri Carrion last year, which draws poets, artists and musicians together on a single day to
simultaneously call for environmental, cultural, social and political change.
This year there will be
about 700 events throughout the world, including in Johannesburg, Cape Town,
Durban and Bloemfontein.
The Johannesburg event is
being held under the auspices of the Melville Poetry Festival at Picobella
restaurant, Melville. The excellent line-up of poets comprises Gary Cummiskey,
Arja Salafranca, Michelle McGrane, Gerard Rudolf, Hans Pienaar, Corné Coetzee,
Rene Bohnen, Phillippa Yaa de Villiers, David Chislett, Alan Finlay and Khulile Nxumalo.
Pienaar’s new Afrikaans
novel, Chaos, of Op Soek Na Superman
(Chaos, or in search of Superman)
will also be launched at the event.
By using readings, concerts
and workshops, communities throughout the world can address issues such as
censorship, abuse of power, social inequality, racism and poverty, according to
Rothenberg.
“With 100 000 Poets
for Change we aim to seize and redirect the political and social dialogue of
the day and turn the narrative of civilization towards peace and sustainability,”
he says.
Pienaar, who is the chairman of
the Melville Poetry Festival which will run from 12 – 14 October, says a
consensus is fast developing across the world that things cannot continue as
they are, no matter what one’s ideological orientation might be. And while the
call for change may be vague, this is probably fitting since part of the
problem is that world leaders and experts are at a loss what to do about the
world’s ills.
What poetry can do is also not
clear, except that it is the art form that serves one best when you tread out
into an unknown world, or one without any clear answers or signposts. In South
Africa recent events have perhaps finally shown that the “New South Africa” is
over, and that the rainbow nation is a myth, and that we need to relook and
re-examine most aspects of our society.
Certain themes from 100 000
Poets For Change will be carried over to the Melville Poetry Festival, where
some of the events will focus on the need for resistance, while others will
celebrate the fact that simply to produce good poetry is already an act of
bringing change to the world.
A micro-blog to promote and celebrate the Johannesburg event
is being developed on the 100 000 Poets for Change site here
100 000 Poets for Change – Johannesburg will be held at
Picobella restaurant, No 66, 4th Avenue, Melville, on September 29,
from 4pm to 7pm. Pienaar’s new book, as well as titles by the various poets,
will be on sale.
