1000 Verse Renga, the world's longest poem ever!

I'm the Embassy of Japan's roving "Japan-UK 150" haiku & renga poet-in-residence and I am currently based at Bath Central Library for October (& November) 2009.

Please txt a renga verse (2 or 3 short lines) to: 07797 806545
Or email: 1000verses@withwords.org.uk

The mission
is to help create the World’s longest ever poem with the help of visitors to Bath Central Library; schoolchildren; and everyone from the REST OF THE WORLD.

What is the world's longest poem? It's a renga poem, and just like haiku it came from Japan. It's where people from all walks of life don't even have to be a poet to help create a poem. How does that work?

RENGA
Renga is a traditional Japanese group poem that is ‘shared writing’: everyone is allowed the chance to write, or orally suggest a verse. It’s very inclusive, creative, and encouraging, and the making of this communal poem is as important as the final result.

WHO ARE JAPAN-UK 150?
Japan-UK 150 was set up by the Embassy of Japan for a range of activities across the U.K. to celebrate 150 years of the 1858 Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Amity and Commerce in Edo (Tokyo).

MORE ABOUT RENGA
Of all the ‘poetic forms’ this is one that works for people who have never written before, and yet offers a great challenge for those who are already comfortable and established writers.

The renga activity is where people can sit and stay, or come and go, listen or write, and above all share in the decision-making of each verse.

When completed the renga poem is jointly owned by everyone.

The renga verses are more than the sum of its parts as they capture our thoughts and feelings, which might otherwise be lost at end of the day; we can also share an experience wherein strangers and friends or colleagues connect for a moment.

As a Japan Times award-winning writer for haiku and renga poetry (haiku originated from renga as its ‘starting verse’) I felt renga was an ideal choice of activity for a Japan-UK 150 event.

THE AIM
The aim is that towards the end of the 1000 Verse Renga Residency we can display both finished renga poems in the local library; create an eBook free and accessible around the world; to present a sense of achievement to the local community; and to develop a further interest in Japanese culture.

Both national and international haiku/renga poets have already contributed renga verses, but we also want people from all walks of life adding their own couple of lines even if they have never "done" poetry before. 

We are calling on EVERYBODY to help complete the 1000 verse renga so that the local community are involved with a renga that has been around the world from Africa (including teachers and schoolchildren from Nairobi); Japan; India; Nepal; Pakistan; North America; Canada; Ireland; and West Indies, just to mention a few of the countries where I know people who regularly write haiku and renga.

What would you write about?
You could put down what's important to you right there and then, or it could be about naming a newborn child, your partner, or why you love Bath, or just something that makes you laugh out loud despite our troubled times, and current recession.


The 1000 Verse Renga project has been wonderfully supported by June Brassington, BathNES Head of Libraries; June Wentland, new Libraries Reader Development Officer; Ann Cullis, Senior Arts Development Officer and Peter Salt, Arts Development Officer of Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Other art officers, the general public, and the homeless are supporting this project, no one gets left out.

A renga verse for this project is anything that is two or three VERY short lines, not poetic, more like a snatch halfway through a conversation you might have with a friend.

Please txt a renga verse (2 or 3 short lines) to: 07797 806545
Or email: 1000verses@withwords.org.uk

all my best to everyone!

Alan
With WordsFounder/director/tutor:
http://www.withwords.org.uk

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BATH U.K.BOOK LAUNCH
=================

***FREE EVENT***
with wine, soft drinks, and nibbles

Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights
Independent Bookshop of the Year 2008 (British Book Industry Awards)

6.30pm - 8pm
Saturday, October 4th
14/15 John Street
(behind Jolly's, opposite the "Salamander" pub)
Bath, BA1 2JL

BATH BOOK LAUNCH OF "WING BEATS: British Birds in Haiku"
with wine, soft drinks, and nibbles.

FREE COMPLIMENTARY "the haiku journal" notebook with every Wing Beats purchase.

This event will include acclaimed nature writer, BBC Wildlife series producer, and Guardian columnist
Stephen Moss and leading British haiku writers John Barlow; Matthew Paul; and Alan Summers.
and guests.

MR B's EVENT WEBPAGE:
Mr B's weblink
Mr B's Map and address:
Where Mr B's is at!


extended "Book launch" party
This event is from 6.30pm to 8pm, but if anyone wishing to join us afterwards for
an extended "Book launch" party
is warmly welcome.


"Wing Beats: British Birds in Haiku" is simply unique.  Snapshot Press are based in Liverpool so this is a rare chance to hear, and speak to a publisher who was a finalist for this year's Poetry Society of America's 'Williams Carlos Williams Prize.' (Alan Summers, With Words)

Copies of the first edition/first printing can be ordered at:
Where to order Wing Beats

Or at Mr B's!
Mr B's Contact details

Wing Beats weblink: Wing Beats: British Birds in Haiku
With Words weblink: With Words

========================================
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT "WING BEATS: British Birds in Haiku"
========================================

Wing Beats is a 320 page hardback book. It has been described as:

“a wonderful new book . . . a truly unique book for both nature and poetry lovers which explores both British avifauna and the history and intricacies of haiku poetry, considering the relationships between these in a global context. It is written and compiled by renowned haiku poets John Barlow and Matthew Paul . . . and has gorgeous photographic watercolour illustrations by Sean Gray as well as a foreword by bird expert and BBC wildlife producer Stephen Moss” (The Book Monkey)

“full of acute observations, artistically moving, and intellectually stimulating – a very important book” (William J. Higginson, Haiku Handbook)

"This volume of haiku about birds and what it means to encounter birds in the landscape achieves the near impossible. It captures the deepest feelings and the most minute observations in the fewest words possible—
a triumph of seeing, expression and poetic control." (Mark Cocker, 'Birds Britannica')

"The poems in this volume are worthy heirs to three great traditions: the British love of nature, especially birds; the poetic approach of John Clare, rooted in observation and reality but taking the reader to a higher plane; and finally, of course, the long and venerable tradition of haiku.  By combining these, the writers have produced something truly unique: beautifully written yet easily accessible poetry that helps us reconnect with the natural world in a deeper, more intense way."(Stephen Moss, BBC TV Wildlife Documentary Producer, and writer)

"Wing Beats: British Birds in Haiku"  is simply unique.  Snapshot Press are based in Liverpool so this is a rare chance to hear, and speak to a publisher who was a finalist for this year's Poetry Society of America's 'Williams Carlos Williams Prize.' (Alan Summers, With Words)

 
Copies of the first edition/first printing can be ordered in advance at:
Wing Beats Bookshop


================ F I N ===============

Check out my blog at Area 17:
Area 17

For exciting news on the eagerly anticipated Wing Beats: British Birds in Haiku!

My Poetry School Spring 2008 courses in the U.K.

Click onto "search by tutor": The Poetry School workshops directory page
and then scroll down to Alan Summers, and click search for the workshops I'm offering.

haiku & senryu Saturday workshop:
Participants will learn the 'real rules' of these ultra-compact forms and consider their relevance to modern British poetry.

The renga Saturday workshop:
This workshop introduces the shared writing linked verse form of renga (both haiku and senryu originate from renga). Through group activity we will aim to complete a twenty verse nijuin renga by the end of the day.

Korean, Japanese & Chinese Forms
This workshop introduces the forms of Sijo, Sedoka, Tanka, and Jueju. Participants will learn how these forms are still active today.

The purpose of these three workshops:
is to examine and practice, through group discussion and participation, both the traditions and contemporary possibilities of various classic Asian poetry forms. Participants will aim to have finished poems at the end of each session and are invited to bring work-in-progress as well (16 copies of each poem).

There is no requirement to enroll onto all three courses.

I will be delighted to see you whether you book one, two, or three workshops!

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Here at With Words we believe in acting locally and thinking globally, so half of any profits from this competition will go towards literacy work with children in developing countries, and half will go to supporting With Words literacy projects in the UK.

Prizes:
1st Prize: £200
2nd Prize: £50

Please click on the weblink for details: The With Words International Online Haiku Competition 2008

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Only two places left!
Enquire by email: applehousepoetry@yahoo.co.uk to check current availability.


A LONG POET'S GUIDE TO HAIKU

10am to 4.30pm on Saturday 9th June 2007

Suitable for poets and writers of all levels – maximum of 12.

No previous experience of writing or reading haiku is necessary.

Haiku is simple, but requires discipline to write well. Learn the techniques behind contemporary English-language haiku with writing exercises and discussion. We will cover the world's shortest literary form, from its origins in Japan, to its current world-wide practice.

There will also be an opportunity for a traditional Japanese haiku-writing walk (a 'ginko') in the AppleHouse orchard.

Feel free to bring thirteen copies of any haiku you have written already.

10am to 4.30pm on Saturday 9th June 2007
Day Workshop for £42 including two-course lunch with wine

Tutor
Alan Summers is a Japan Times award-winning haiku poet and a Visiting Tutor for The Poetry School.
He's widely published with work translated into eleven different languages.
Alan is a judge for numerous haiku competitions, including The Sasakawa Prize for Original Contributions in the Field of Haikai, and is a former General Secretary of the British Haiku Society.

He is currently judging haiku entries from children and students from the poor areas of Nairobi.
With Words website: With Words




AppleHouse is a financially independent project supporting poets in the South East through levels of excellence in intensive, small-group workshops, masterclasses, and anthology and pamphlet publication.

For further information:
Please either contact myself here, or at haiku@dircon.co.uk

or write to:
The AppleHouse, Aldon Lane, Offham, Kent ME19 5PH

or email:
applehousepoetry@yahoo.co.uk

Uni-Verse haiku event at BRSLI!
Wednesday 11 Apr 2007
12.30 - 2 p.m. 

Organiser: Nikki Bennett-Willetts,
Poetry Society Stanza Rep for Bath

Description:
Alan Summers, Japan Times award winning poet,
will be giving a short talk
on classic & contemporary
Japanese haiku,
followed by a reading.

OPEN MIC:
There'll be plenty of open mic
for anyone wanting to read
whether favourite haiku,
or other Japanese or Chinese poems,
or Korean sijo etc...,
or simply to ask questions.

About Uni-Verse
Uni-Verse is a new
lunchtime poetry group
that celebrates international poets
and poetry,
hosted by Nikki Bennett-Willetts.

Admission: £2/£1

Website: Alan's Area 17


Address:
THE BATH ROYAL LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE
The BRLSI website
16-18 Queen Square,
Bath


PDF FILE showing accessiblity and floor plans:
BRLSI accessibility PDF

TO FIND BRLSI: STREETMAP

Charlotte Street
Long Stay Car Park
is just a few minutes away
from BRLSI:
webpage link

Car Parking Map:
Car Parks Map - Bath webpage link


OTHER UNI-VERSE EVENTS:

"UNI-VERSE"

A NEW LUNCHTIME
POETRY GROUP
THAT CELEBRATES
INTERNATIONAL
POETS AND POETRY

at the
Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution
16 –18 Queen Square, Bath
12.30 – 14.00

Soft drinks available,
bring your own snack, sandwiches

Wednesday 21 March
Open mic for Bath residents
& poets to read a poem
or two in a language
other than English.

Read in your own language,
with or without a translation/summary.

Wednesday 9 May
Open mic session for
students/lecturers
of the University of Bath
and Bath Spa University
to read a poem or two
in a language other than English,
with or
without a translation/summary

Students £1

Ideas and suggestions
for future meetings are welcome
Nikki's email: nikki_bennett_willetts at hotmail.com

Guest Speaker Alan Summers talks about Basho

BRISTOL CAN OPENERS
this coming Thursday lunchtime.

GUEST POET: Naomi Woddis

plus
OPEN MIC SLOTS
one before the break
one after the break

ALL WELCOME!

FIND A HAIKU AND READ IT TOO!

Bristol Central Library
Thursday 4th January 2007
12-1.30pm

There are just a few spaces left!


Haiku and Senryu: An Introduction

Date: Saturday 17 February, 2007
Time: 10.30am - 4.30pm
Tutor: Alan Summers

Level: suitable for all levels

Activity: Writing Feedback Exercises
Study Mode: One Day Workshop
Venue: Murch Room, Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institute

This one-day workshop introduces haiku, and its sister form senryu, through discussion and exercises.

Participants will learn the 'real rules' of these ultra-compact forms and consider their relevance to modern British poetry.

We will aim to have finished poems at the end of the session, and you may bring work-in-progress to the group (please bring 16 copies).

The workshop is designed for all levels.

Check my Area 17 blog for useful webpage links and information:
http://area17.blogspot.com

!!!! THE 24 HOURS A DAY HAIKU ANSWERPHONE !!!!

Just leave a haiku on the answerphone! A haiku only takes six seconds to read over the phone so the cost won't be much at all!

The 24 Hour Haiku Answerphone:
mobile number 0779 4835 809
U.K. Calls charged at normal to-Orange tariff.
American poets might be able to use Skype on a cheap rate to U.K.

Note to American Poets:
Dialing from America: 001-44-7794-483-5809 will get you through, it only costs pennies, since a haiku is about six seconds to read.

Other American codes:
Boston 617, Chicago 312, Dallas 214, Denver 303
Houston 713, Los Angeles 213, New York 718 (Manhattan) 212
Washington DC 202

Note to Canadian Poets:
Dialing from Canada is 001:
Quebec 001-418-7794-483-5809
Toronto (Metropolitan) 001-416-7794-483-5809, 001-647-7794-483-5809
(All Other) 001-289-7794-483-5809, 001-905-7794-483-5809
Vancouver 001-604-7794-483-5809

Note to Norwegian writers:
00 + 44 + Area Code + 7794-483-5809
on the ambidextrous 24 hour a day haiku answerphone!

Call 0779 483 5809 and read us a haiku.

UPDATE!
We're getting good haiku on the phone, but we want more!

Please consider leaving a haiku at 0779 4835 809
Calls charged at normal to-Orange tariff.

The lugubrious haiku phone message belongs to ambidextrous half Sam Reader enticing you to leave a haiku: www.myspace.com/ambidextrous_bsu

It's part of a fun but serious series of projects at Bath Spa University, including not just a few haiku projects like this, and the 'haiku walls' but poetry slams and music to get all the different students mixing, and getting freshers involved at an early stage.

THE 24 HOUR HAIKU PHONE:
0779 4835 809
Calls charged at normal to-Orange tariff.