Join Ukrainian and U.S. writers in person at the Shambaugh House or online for a special reading dedicated to supporting Ukraine.
Co-sponsored by Prairie Lights Bookstore, International Programs, and the UNESCO Cities of Literature of Iowa City, Lviv, and Odessa.
Register for the event in advance here: https://bit.ly/readingforukraine
Yesterday I listened to incredible poems from George Szirtes, Moniza Alvi and Elżbieta Wójcik-Leese at LIVE at The Butchery. Their poems will sit with me for a long time.
During the event Jacqueline Saphra dropped a link to the Fundraiser which happened in London on Mother’s Day, 30th March.
Transcript/Video Information:
A fundraising, awareness-raising, spirit-raising day of poetry in solidarity with the people of Ukraine at this time of great peril and suffering.
Poets for Ukraine, in partnership with The Society of Authors, The Poetry Society, The Poetry School and JW3 held a Poem-a-Thon here at JW3 where sponsored poets read in relay for up to five minutes, some in person and some virtually.
Special guests include:
Juliet Stevenson, Jessie Ware, Meera Syal, Sophie Ward and Nick Hytner
Naomi Shihab Nye from the USA
Headliner poets from the UK, including former Scottish Makar Jackie Kay
Former National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke
Imtiaz Dharker who holds the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry
This year’s Costa Book Prize winner Hannah Lowe
Forward Prize winner Fiona Benson
Former Poet Laureates Carol Ann Duffy and Andrew Motion
Poet in Residence for Radio 4 & 4 Extra Daljit Nagra
Veteran actors Harriet Walter and Bill Paterson
They will share the spotlight with Ukrainian poets appearing on video both from the frontline and the diaspora.
All proceeds to our chosen charities, Goods for Good and Hope and Aid Direct.
The links for giving are available under the video.
I was invited to be part of this fundraiser but sadly was unavailable. Apologies for not sharing the online version in a timely manner.
But if you are in the West Midlands region head to The Rep this Friday for the LIVE fundraiser event.
“In the dark times
Will there also be singing?
Yes, there will also be singing.
About the dark times.” ― Bertolt Brecht
Join us for an evening of poetry to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Poets, come along with short poems to read. Poetry lovers, join us to hear poetry that shares our deep concern.
An in-person event on Friday 8th April 2022, from 18:00 – 20:00 BST. BOOKING/INFO here.
Tickets are free but we ask for a minimum £5 donation (in cash on the night or in advance at the DEC link above) from everyone attending.
Organised by Writing West Midlands and Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
Whilst the war on Ukraine rages, it is hard for us to feel okay about posting other things. In times of crisis artists do what they can in the way they do. I can donate, I can help, I can promote others doing the same.
Art itself can help raise spirits, many of you will have seen the footage of the brave young singer in the basement or the man playing Imagine for the refugees crossing the border.
Little girl sings Frozen’s ‘Let it Go’ as she hides in bomb shelter in Ukraine | ITV News
Musician Davide Martello, 40, lives in Konstanz, southern Germany.
There will be many local fundraisers for you to get involved with. Here are some coming up in my region and beyond.
Fundraiser In Ledbury For Ukraine
Saturday 19th March, 10.30am – 10pm,
The Poetry House, The Barrett Browning Institute, Ledbury HR8 2AA.
There will be:
Drop-in Art Workshops with artist Jeanette McCulloch10.30am – 12.30pm Make a beautiful Ukraine inspired folk art greeting card
Poetry Clinic
11am – 5pm Receive individual feedback from poet Lesley Ingram. Minimum donation £20 for 20 minutes.
Open Mic
2pm – 5pm Read a poem by a Ukrainian poet. Or any poem of your choice. Drop-in. All welcome.
Poets and Musicians for Ukraine!
6pm – 10pm Live performances from Elvis McGonagall, Connie Gordon, Jonny Fluffypunk, Mark Stevenson, Amy Rainbow, Nick Trigg, Sara-Jane Arbury, John Rose and Steve Rooney. Minimum donation £10.
Raising money for https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
A spoken word event Manchester Writers for Ukraine will be taking place on Friday 25 March 2022 at 7:30pm at the King’s Arms in Salford.
Writers will include Sarah Butler, Michael Conley, Fat Roland, Peter Kalu, John McAuliffe, Cheryl Martin, Reshma Ruia and Louise Wallwein. All funds raised go to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Manchester writers share poems and stories in the intimate setting of the Kings Arms Theatre.
All funds raised go to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
#StandWithUkraine
Full capacity seating with no social distancing. Please do not attend if showing any COVID-19 symptoms.
Tickets here.
The following night, in Worcester Earth Hour is an event raising funds for Ukraine.
Saturday 26th March, 7:15 pm, Freds, 33 The Tything, Worcs., WR1 1JL
Entry to the event is free, all proceeds will be for the fundraiser.
And in April, Ade Couper, Worcestershire Poet Laureate, is organising Poetry for Ukraine.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022 AT 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Worcester Quaker Meeting House
An evening of live poetry to raise funds for people affected by the war in Ukraine.
Find out more information about the event here.
awritersfountain 