POETRY TAKES OVER: A NATIONWIDE CELEBRATION OF WORDS IS SET TO SWEEP ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN LATE AUGUST

Get ready to celebrate the power of poetry, Aotearoa! Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day 2024 is scheduled for Friday 23 August, and a packed programme of close to 100 official events is revealed today, showcasing the nation’s love of poetry.

“At Phantom Billstickers”, says CEO Robin McDonnell, “National Poetry Day is a celebration that reminds us of the power of words to bridge gaps and touch hearts. In a world often divided by uncertainty, poetry stands as a beacon of unity and hope. “As we unveil this year’s exciting lineup,” Robin continues, “let’s come together to experience the joy, reflection, and connection that poetry offers. In these times of change, let poetry be our constant – a force for good that unites us as a community.”

You’ll find poetry everywhere in late August: on buses, written on pavements, displayed on projected screens, and even emerging from typewriters. This vibrant annual celebration of words and creativity offers something for everyone. 

“You don’t have to be a literary scholar to write or recite a poem,” says Richard Pamatatau, poet and spokesperson for programme coordinators, the New Zealand Book Awards Trust Te Ohu Tiaki i Te Rau Hiringa. “On Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day, we are all invited to share our joys, fears, and challenges by expressing what often comes to mind, and to share our emotions in a way that resonates with everyone.”

The full programme of Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day events can be found on the website, with some highlights for each region in the attached release.

RICHARD PAMATATAU AND LOCAL POETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS

Media contact:
Gill Hughes, Publicist
P: 021 944 499
E: hughespublicity@gmail.com