World Book Day celebration: let us love poetry together!

In celebration of World Book Day, celebrated annually on 23 April, the University of Pretoria (UP) Department of Library Services (DLS) arranged a "Let us love Poetry Together" event on Friday 22 April 2022. To our delight, there were many enthusiastic poets and poetry lovers who registered to participate by either reading their poetry aloud, listening to the poetry reading or contributing their poetry by displaying them at the Merensky 2 Library’s Book Nook.

Amidst an air of anticipation, students and researchers met in the newly established Book Nook area, adjacent to the Library Auditorium. It is not certain whether the excitement was because they were attending a library-hosted event for the first time since the pandemic, or because it was the first event celebrated in the library’s beautiful new Book Nook! This, the first dedicated leisure reading area established in the DLS, was launched in November 2021 while restrictions prevented the inclusion of all interested parties. Certainly, the beautiful bean bags and colourful books on display were enticing enough to draw people in!

Viveka Pillai, Humanities & Theology Faculty library manager welcomed the group of about fifty poetry lovers, which included academics, and both undergraduate and postgraduate students, from various campuses and fields of study. To mention one of the fifty registrants was Prof Conrad Beyers from Actuarial Science, who accompanied his partner, a budding poet - while another, Dr Nomadlozi Bokaba, from the department of African Languages was in attendance.

Dr Idette Noomé from UP’s department of English then reminded the audience why we read, and busy ourselves with poetry in the first place: because it captures the truth of our experiences so well. Adrienne Warricker, the Information specialist for the languages, then asked all who wanted to recite their poetry to the group, to proceed to the podium.

It was a genuine thrill to see and hear so many different people excited to participate – students and academics, and people from various walks of campus life - professional as well as support staff members.

Participants included Professor Deirdre Byrne from the UNISA’s Department of English, Andile Xaba, Sharon-Rose Chisango, Sanele Sibanyoni, Gerhard Genis, Philip Mirkin, Tshimangadzo Mufamadi, Dorcas Bitema, Sanele Nobinda, Anthea Pretorius, and Lithalethu Qangule. Anisha Garib and campus newspaper Perdeby journalist - Jan Koketso Ndlovu - among others, contributed by putting up their poems on the poetry corner notice board.

A specific UP colleague was unable to attend the event, but upon invitation sent us his contribution, entitled “The Irony”. With his permission, his poem has been shared on the UP Libraries Facebook page.

The event was officially concluded when Ms Warricker expressed thanks to all present and invited them to continue browsing the poems that had been put up on the Book Nook, as well as the new books for leisure reading. A few participants were convinced to copy their poems for inclusion in the Book Nook’s poetry corner, and in the Book Nook events book that will be created by Ms Warricker.

Thank you to all who expressed their interest, attended, and participated! Based on the enthusiasm witnessed on the day, the Book Nook will see more poetry-centred events in the future.