DLS celebrates World Book and Copyright Day, on 23 April 2023

The University of Pretoria (UP) Department of Library Services (DLS) celebrated World Book and Copyright Day again this year. The event, annually celebrated on 23 April was celebrated at the DLS by hosting a “Let Us Love Poetry Together” event on 24 April 2023 in the auditorium reception area, adjacent to the Book Nook. 

Following the previous year’s successful poetry event, we assumed that there would be great interest and indeed, this was true. Students, staff and other poetry lovers came together in a gleeful celebration of poetry and words. Those who registered and performed their poetry did very well and we had several returning members that were part of the previous year’s event. 

The organisers received an incredibly touching email from one of the UP professors, who would be unable to attend since she would be supporting her granddaughter, who would be in the hospital battling recurrent cancer and undergoing treatment. Professor Tessa Marcus, in her email, shared two poems she had written for her granddaughter – one of which is entitled “To anyone who has cancer” and they were the most heartfelt and profound poems of the day. As we had promised Prof Tessa Marcus, the session started by paying tribute to the brave little girl who was in the fight of her life. We shared the inspiring story with the audience and then played an mp4 of the little girl’s voice narrating her grandmother’s poignant “My hair loves me, Mama”.

We were honoured to have the session opened and chaired by UP’s own Edwin Smith who, since the event, has launched “Umalusi” which is his anthology of poetry in honour of his mother. The collection of poetry was presented in the library auditorium on 9 May 2023.

Edwin kicked off the session and shared with the audience one of his favourite poems, a more light-hearted poem that had all grinning. We shared poems on memories of lost loves and failed relationships and we admired the shared experiences we all had. We enjoyed an ode to the Book Nook and witnessed gratitude for the beauty of nature. Everyone had a lovely time.

An attendance register of the event was kept in hopes that we can host a follow-up event and invite enthusiasts to another celebration of poetry within 2023 still! A record of the event is kept in the form of a physical book with poems pasted inside it. Students and poetry lovers gathered afterwards and indicated that they would love to have a poetry club established with more frequent get-togethers. Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating and expressing our shared humanity through poetry!

Edwin Smith reading his chosen poem for the group. 

Sharon Rose reading her poem.