World Poetry Day: What does poetry mean to us?

By Sasha Main

Poetry often has a deeper meaning than initially meets the eye

Founded in 1999 by UNESCO, World Poetry Day is celebrated on March 21st every year. The event aims to celebrate one of humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression. Since the artform of poetry predates literacy, it’s difficult to determine when poetry first began, but it’s believed that the earliest forms of poetry were sung and passed on orally from one generation to the next.
To celebrate World Poetry Day 2024, the Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow played host to New Zealand-born poet Gerrie Fellows, who read a selection of her poetry inspired by the Hunterian collection.
Fellows recognises the importance of the annual event.

She said: "World Poetry Day brings all of us poets together and allows us to share our art with others. It gives our work a focal point when it otherwise wouldn't be so widely viewed.”

Though originally from New Zealand, Fellows has lived and worked in Scotland for 30 years as a creative writing tutor and mentor to new poets through the Clydebuilt Mentoring Programme.

Scotland has been home to many famous poets over the years, from Robert Burns to Glasgow-born Carol Ann Duffy. From 2009 to 2019, Duffy served as Poet Laureate of the UK during which time she produced poems covering a number of topics such as scandals over MP expenses, climate change, royal weddings and David Beckham’s famous Achilles tendon injury.

Poetry also plays a large role when it comes to Scottish identity. Every child in Scotland studies Robert Burns's poetry, often performing it in school plays and showcases on Burns Night. Every January 25th people across Scotland have a traditional dinner of haggis, neeps and tatties whilst remembering Burns and his poetry.

World Poetry Day offers an opportunity for writers and readers to connect and celebrate an artform that has historically fostered creativity and brought communities together.