POETRY lovers in Reading have gone international following a link-up with their American twin.
It comes after the town’s Poet’s Cafe which meets in the South Street Arts Centre was forced to hold its monthly readings online due to the pandemic.
A group of writers in Reading, Pennsylvania spotted the group on the internet and started to join in. Now there are plans to hold a joint poetry event next spring called Reading to Reading.
Vic Pickup, who is part of a new committee running the Poet’s Cafe, described the Transatlantic link as “very exciting.”
“When lockdown began, we wondered if an online reading session would work but we were surprised at just how popular it became,” she explained.
“Then we started to have people from Europe join in and then the city of Reading in America. It was amazing that poetry from people here in England can now be appreciated by other poetry lovers across the world.
“We are currently in the process of organising a special event with our American namesakes. Poetry really is an international language.”
Reading in Pennsylvania was established in 1748, and named after its British namesake. It is located in Berks County between Philadelphia and the State capital, Harrisburg. Two of its most famous residents include the singer, Taylor Swift and Pulitzer prize novelist, John Updike.
Vic said the online sessions had been so successful the committee planned to keep them going after covid restrictions are eventually ended. They usually meet at South Street arts centre.
“Some people are unable to come to meetings so online is ideal for them,” she said.
“During the pandemic, people have felt a need more than ever to express themselves and that is one reason why our numbers at both events have increased.
“We invite a published poet who reads for half-an-hour which is followed by an open mic. School curriculums tend not to explore creativity very much. Our members range in ages from students to those in their eighties.”
Vic and three other poets, Zannah Kearns, Damon Young and Rika Banerjee have taken over the reins from Claire Dyer who is stepping down after five years.
“For more than 25 years, the Poet’s Cafe has been a major part of Reading’s cultural scene,” Ms Dyer said.
“It is now co-ordinated by The Poetry Society’s Reading Stanza and we’ve been overwhelmed by the support we received from poets and audiences from all round the globe during and after lockdown.
“I can’t think of a team more qualified or better suited to carrying on the wonderful work of Poets’ Café than Vic, Zannah, Damon and Rika. It’s been an honour to be so closely involved with Poets’ Café since I took over from AF Harrold in December 2016 and am super excited to see what happens next. I obviously won’t be going far, and very much look forward to being part of the open mic and audience in years to come.”
