Poetry in Protest

Name: Poetry in Protest
Start: 2024-03-21T14:00:00+00:00
End: 2024-05-18T16:00:00+01:00
Location: Glasgow Women’s Library

Open Book creative writing groups respond to Jackie Kay’s incredible poem A Life in Protest

21st March , 2:00pm to 18th May , 4:00pm

Black text on white background reads: At seventeen, you learned the truth And took to the streets, umpteenth time. BACK TO THE NIGHT! – candlelit processions. Because the night belongs to WIMMIN, blazing, banging saucepans, tins. extract from A Life in Protest by Jackie Kay

Over 15 poets from 12 different creative writing groups run by Open Book, across Scotland, from Orkney to Eyemouth, contribute their poems written in response to Jackie Kay’s, A Life in Protest.

This immense poem was written by Jackie in response to the artist Ingrid Pollard‘s work, and her inspiring exhibition ‘No Cover Up‘ held at GWL in 2021.

Included in Jackie Kay’s new collection of poetry, May Day, launching at GWL on Tuesday 23rd April this poem has provided inspiration to Open Book’s creative writers, with many sharing their poems for inclusion in this exhibition.

The poems will be available in large print and audio.

Open Book runs relaxed creative writing sessions all over Scotland, where poetry and stories are read aloud for people to creatively respond to with the support of a Lead Reader. If you’d like to attend an Open Book session at Glasgow Women’s Library please find more information here. There are also sessions run online and in different languages such as Arabic, Scots and Gaelic and for people with particular experiences such as of chronic illness, spinal injuries or neurodivergence. Here are more details and dates for these sessions.