Dozens of poets have descended on St Andrews for Scotland’s 20th international poetry festival.
StAnza began on Wednesday, with a performance by traditional Scottish singer Sheena Wellington who famously sang Robert Burns’ A Man’s A Man For A’ That at the opening of the Scottish Parliament.
It was launched by Franco-Syrian author and poet Maram al-Masari, who is considered one of the most influential and captivating female voices of her generation.
The celebration of verse, which began in 1998, draws some of the best poets from around the world.
Festival director Eleanor Livingstone said: “Twenty years is a wonderful milestone for StAnza and to mark this we have strived to create a programme which not only embraces the wonderful diversity of the spoken word but truly reflects the journey the festival has been on up until now.”
The opening night saw John Agard’s quirky revision of the notorious New World Enterprise of Christopher Columbus in Roll Over Atlantic.
In his one man show Agard, winner of the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, took on the voices of Columbus, the Atlantic ocean, a native shaman and The Mighty Mosquito.
The five-day festival is bringing poetry, music and more to venues across St Andrews.
Costa Poetry Book prize winner Alice Oswald, Scotland’s new Makar Jackie Kay and Kathleen Jamie, author of the Saltire Book of the Year are among the headline acts.
Also appearing are poet, critic, biographer and professor Robert Crawford, Jim Carruth, who was appointed Glasgow poet laureate in 2014, and Forward Prize winner Vahni Capildeo.
Capildeo said: “StAnza has been a legendary presence to me. I feel thrilled to be cut loose from the unpoetic calendar and to be summoned to attend.”
Another highlight is In Coversation with Hamish Brown and Jim Crumley, with the well-known Scottish nature writers discussing poetry, travel and seeking high places.
Performances reflect the festival’s two themes for 2017, On the Road and the Heights of Poetry, which explore travel and migration and hills and mountains and celebrate Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017.
Stuart Turner, head of EventScotland, said: “As Scotland’s International Poetry Festival set on the perfect stage of St Andrews, StAnza allows visitors to enjoy an exciting, varied programme showcasing the very best of both national and international literary talent, and we are delighted to support the event in its 20th year.”
Aly Barr, of Creative Scotland, said: “StAnza has cemented its place as one of Scotland’s foremost poetry festivals in the world.
“It’s programme brings poets of all styles from all nations to a five-day long poetry oasis in Fife.
“I’d recommend all thirsty readers and listeners travel along and drink deep.”
