Verse, a universally beloved and age-old form of cultural expression, receives recognition through World Poetry Day, a commemorative event instituted by UNESCO.
At its 30th General Conference taking place in the French capital, UNESCO proclaimed March 21 as World Poetry Day. The intention was to champion linguistic diversity through poetic works and to generate fresh prospects for tongues facing extinction.
The body declared that World Poetry Day presents an opportunity to honour verse crafters, restore oral poetic customs, foster the study, composition and education of verse, merge poetry with neighbouring artistic disciplines such as performance, movement, melody and visual art, and strengthen poetry’s standing across various media.
In this instalment of the Looking Back series, a compilation of remarkable verse-related gatherings staged throughout Oxfordshire in 2014 has been assembled, representing a span of twelve years.
Those passionate about language convened to mark the celebration at independent bookshops, learning establishments, verse performance evenings and academic symposiums.
Browse this Oxford Mail archive selection to discover imagery from a decade earlier documenting World Poetry Day activities across Oxfordshire.