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.

 

"It's a privilege to be invited into a community as rich in culture as Thanet.  Here where poet laureate Robert Bridges lived, for whom a plaque remains in  St Nicholas-at-Wade beneath what Turner said was the greatest sky in all Europe.  Workers for Art are down to earth with their spirit in the sky and this is how I feel about the lead character in my poem, she is made of flint and she has a chalk heart.  2012 is a great year for poetry and this project connects with the Olympics and with Winning Words. Poetry in public spaces." –Lemn Sissay.

 

The poem will be presented as part of a community celebration on 26th 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 29th 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.

The Celebration Day (26th January):

12.30pm     St. Nicholas-at-Wade Parish Church. A song inspired by the poem, composed by Tony Castro and sung by the community choir will be performed.

 

3.30pm   Minster Abbey. In addition to a reading by Lemn Sissay, the poem will be performed as a dance. By invitation only.

 

6.00pm   Turner Contemporary   

6pm (Outside on the Terrace) The poem will be projected onto the Turner Contemporary building. 

 

    7:30pm (Outside on the Terrace) A reading of the poem by Lemn Sissay and another chance to see the poem performed through dance and song.