National Poetry Month and the Mayor's Poetry City Challenge were both marked at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council April 14.
"Established in Canada in April 1998, by the League of Canadian Poets (LCP), National Poetry Month (NPM) brings together schools, publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, and poets from across the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in Canada's culture. The year 2014, marks the 16th anniversary of National Poetry Month in Canada," detailed material circulated to Council.
"Building on the success of the Mayor's Poetry City Challenge in 2013, the theme for the NPM is Poetry City. In 2013 Regina Mayor Michael Fougere challenged his fellow mayors in communities across Canada to have a local poet read a poem at the opening of their Council meetings in March or April. The challenge is a celebration of UNESCO's World Poetry Day (March 21), and NPM in April. The purpose is to celebrate poetry, writing, small presses and the contribution of poets and all writers to the cultural life in our communities. It also celebrates libraries, and the work of so many mayors and municipalities to promote literacy and reading."
To mark the events locally, Yorkton writer Dale Winnitowy read one of his works at the Council meeting (see related sidebar).
