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 Scottish Poetry Library Programme
 

Read on for readings, workshops, poetry book groups and other events run by the Scottish Poetry Library, both in Edinburgh and its outreach collections in Scotland.

Events | Workshops | Reading Groups | Exhibitions | Booking

Looking for more? Click here for our selection of other poetry and literature events around Scotland.

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SPL Programme » spring/summer 2009

When What Where
Wednesday 8 July, all day

Oxfam All Day Bookfest

Oxfam loves books and to prove it, they're launching their very first book festival. This summer, Oxfam Bookfest will be bursting onto the book scene with a bang - starting on 4 July and running for a page-turning, poverty-busting, fortnight of fun.

Including 11am - 1.45pm: Scottish Poetry Library presents Liz Lochhead, Gerrie Fellows, Jim Carruth, Donny O'Rourke, Gerry Loose.

For full schedule, visit www.oxfam.org.uk/books

All day ticket £8

Glasgow

Glasgow City Chambers

Thursday 9 July, 4pm, 6pm

Poetry Event and Book launch

in association with the Ingleby Gallery

4pm (at SPL): A guided concrete poetry tour of the library including a viewing of some of the rare concrete poems held in the collection. This is also one of the last chances to view the current Edwin Morgan Archive exhibition, and there will be a special playing of an audio recording of Ian Hamilton Finlay reading from The Dancers Inherit the Party in the 1960s.

6pm (at Ingleby Gallery): Artist and publisher David Bellingham will be in discussion with artist and poet Thomas A Clark, who will be reading extracts from A Model of Order - Selected Letters on Poetry and Form by Ian Hamilton Finlay.

Booking is not essential for this event, but please email Julie or call the SPL for more details. Email: julie.johnstone@spl.org.uk; telephone: 0131 557 2876

Ingelby Gallery website: http://www.inglebygallery.com/

Free

Edinburgh

Scottish Poetry Library & Ingleby Gallery

Saturday 25 July, 11am

Concrete Poetry

A free guided viewing of the Ian Hamilton Finlay collection. Librarian Julie Johnstone will introduce the SPL's Ian Hamilton Finlay and Wild Hawthorn Press holdings, which include rare prints, cards and booklets. Related collections, such as the Edwin Morgan Archive, and publications of Thomas A Clark's Moschatel Press and Alec Finlay's Morning Star Folios will also be available to view.

Booking is not essential for this event, but please email Julie or call the SPL for more details. Email: julie.johnstone@spl.org.uk; telephone: 0131 557 2876

Ingelby Gallery website: http://www.inglebygallery.com/

Free

Edinburgh

The Scottish Poetry Library
5 Crichton's Close
Canongate

Wednesday 19 August, 8.30pm

Scottish Poetry Library at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

Michael Russell: Selected Works

Find out what inspires Scotland's new Minister for Culture, as he picks favourite poems in discussion with Robyn Marsack of the Scottish Poetry Library.

Please book with EIBF Box Office
Telephone: 0845 373 5888
Website: www.edbookfest.co.uk

£9/£7

Edinburgh

EIBF, Charlotte Square

Friday 21 August, 3.30pm

Scottish Poetry Library at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

Liz Lochhead, Aonghas MacNeacail and Jen Hadfield: Present Poets and Past Makars

Three outstanding poets read from their own work, and from past great voices associated with the Scottish Poetry Library, to celebrate its twenty-fifth year.

Please book with EIBF Box Office
Telephone: 0845 373 5888
Website: www.edbookfest.co.uk

£9/£7

Edinburgh

EIBF, Charlotte Square

Sunday 30 August, 4.30pm

Scottish Poetry Library at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

Revolutionary Europe

To mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Literature Across Frontiers and the Scottish Poetry Library have brought together a unique quartet of international poets to create new work under the presiding spirit of Robert Burns. Join Michael Augustin, Sujata Bhatt, Ioana Ieronim, Donny O'Rourke and Wojciech Bonowicz for this very special occasion.

In association with Literature Across Frontiers  

Please book with EIBF Box Office
Telephone: 0845 373 5888
Website: www.edbookfest.co.uk

£6/£4

Edinburgh

EIBF, Charlotte Square

17 - 22 & 24 - 29 August, 2 - 3pm

Want to read your own poems aloud?

Come to the Courtyard Readings at the Scottish Poetry Library, and enjoy an hour of poetry, hosted annually by the School of Poets. Read / perform your own or other writers' work in any language. Outdoors when the weather is favourable. 

Free, non-ticketed

Edinburgh

Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton's Close

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SPL Programme » Poetry reading groups

When What Where
Various times

Reading Room

Poetry ideas, talk, reviews... and with four different reading groups to choose from, and an online group too, there's bound to be one that suits you.

Visit our brand-new readers' website Reading Room, for poetry reading ideas, news, podcasts and to sign up to our quarterly e-newsletters. We'd like to keep you up to date with reading choices and any changes of plan, so please let us know if you're intending to come along to any of the discussion groups you'll find here. To find out more contact the Scottish Poetry Library

www.readingroom.spl.org.uk

Various locations and online

First Monday of the month

New Books

Julie Johnstone picks a new poetry book each month for you to read and discuss.

New Books has finished for the summer. It will resume again in October. Email us if you'd like a mail to alert you to the next reading group sessions...

£5 (£3 concessions and Friends of the SPL)

Edinburgh

The Scottish Poetry Library
5 Crichton's Close
Canongate

 

From June to September in various locations

 

Nothing But The Poem

Renew your love of poetry with this fresh approach to reading. In these relaxed discussions you won't need any background knowledge; you'll simply come fresh to the text of single poems, take the time to read deeply and let new discoveries emerge – without the pressure of reviews, criticism and hype. Facilitated by SPL staff.

Send your email address, and we can send you a reminder email before each meeting

...at Scottish Poetry Library,
Tuesday 7 July, 6.30-8pm;
Tuesday 4 August 6.30-8pm;
22 September 6.30-8pm

£5/£3

call us on 0131 557 2876 to book your place.

...at Central Library, George IV Bridge

Wednesday 8 July, 6.30-8pm
Thursday 17 September, 6.30-8pm

Free, unticketed

...at Edinburgh International Book Festival

Thursday 20 August
Thursday 27 August, 11am

£12/£10

Please book with EIBF Box Office
Telephone: 0845 373 5888
Website: www.edbookfest.co.uk

Edinburgh

The Scottish Poetry Library
5 Crichton's Close
Canongate;

Central Library, George IV Bridge

Monday 15 June, 6.30-8pm

Round Table

This informal, friendly evening gives you the freedom to choose for yourselves what poetry you'll read. With as many different approaches and passions as there are readers round the table, discussions truly take off. Led by group members.

Free, but please book in advance

Send your email address, and we can send you a reminder email before each meeting

Edinburgh

The Scottish Poetry Library
5 Crichton's Close
Canongate

 

 

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SPL Programme » Exhibitions

When What Where
27 April 2009 – 11 July 2009, Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 1-5pm

Bawr stretter! Messages from a poet

An exhibition to mark the opening of the Edwin Morgan Archive at the Scottish Poetry Library

Free

Edinburgh

The Scottish Poetry Library
5 Crichton's Close
Canongate

5 August - 5 September 2009, Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 1-5pm

A Stuggy Pren

A Stuggy Pren is an inspired collation of Katrina Lithgow's photogrpahs of the late, great Ivor Cutler. These photographs, with Cutler's original handwritten fragments, celebrate the essence of an eccentric genius; this exhibition is a treat for fans and newcomers alike.

Free

Edinburgh

The Scottish Poetry Library
5 Crichton's Close
Canongate

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SPL Programme » Booking

Please book in advance for events held at the Scottish Poetry Library.

Address: The Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton's Close, Canongate, Edinburgh
Telephone: 0131 557 2876
Email: reception@spl.org.uk

Please let us know in advance if you wish to cancel. Bookings can only be held until five minutes before the start of each event.


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