Olympic poet Lemn Sissay creates a poem for Thanet

Lemn Sissay has been working with three communities within Thanet – Minster, St Nicholas at Wade and Margate. From the communities he gathered thoughts, feelings and memories about the places they live  - these have then inspired the poem he has written for the people of Thanet.

The poem will be presented as part of a community celebration on 26^th January in each of the three places about which it has been written. In St Nicholas at Wade the poem will be translated into a song, in Minster a dance will be performed at the Abbey and in Margate the poem will be projected large onto the Turner Contemporary building.

Among the local artists taking part is company, “StevensonThompson” in collaboration with Dance Company “Moving on”, which has produced a thought provoking interpretation of Lemn’s poem featuring intergenerational dancers. 

International composer, conductor and musician Tony Castro has created a song inspired by the poem that will be sung by a local community choir.

Kent based Projection Company Clever Projections will create a dynamic and visually stimulating projection of the poem that will be launched on the Day of Celebration and will remain on the building until the 29^th January.

The project aims to explore the role of the artist within our changing communities and more specifically to promote, inspire and stimulate a love of poetry.

Poetry Isle has been designed and delivered by Workers of Art in partnership with Community Development at Thanet District Council and Arts Council England. This event will launch Thanet’s celebration of culture and heritage taking place throughout 2012.

If you'd like to find more activities and events like this in Thanet, take a look at our Warming Words website