The Poetry in McGregor Festival has become one of the most popular literary festivals on the continent. Last year over two hundred poets arrived in the picturesque village to celebrate their art and to enjoy a remarkably happy gathering for lovers of the written word. Poetry in McGregor is now renowned for its warm-hearted and intimate atmosphere and for the unique way in which the village lends itself to a relaxed and memorable experience.
The weekend celebration of poetry includes readings, workshops, music and poetry, open mic sessions and lots of time for poets and friends of poetry from across the country to get acquainted. Festival organizer Jennifer Johnson says: “It is our passionate intention and endeavour to help grow and sustain a community of poets and poetry enthusiasts in the poetic and magical setting that is McGregor.”
To celebrate the cycle of its seventh year, the 2019 theme is “The Heart of the Moon.” The first pioneering years of the festival were exemplified by Sun energy, the bold and active force essential to turning a vision into reality. Now, with the moon as a symbol, the intent is to dream into and deepen the very special intimacy that this unique festival offers.
The participating poets on the 2019 programme are Joan Hambidge, Michelé Betty, Sally Ann Murray, Brian Walter; Malcolm Gooding, Quinne Brown; Douglas Reid Skinner, Christopher Culpo; John Maytham, Luna Paige; Willem Fransman Jr; Zane Dangor, Makhanda Senzagakhona; Kobus Moolman, Phillipa Namutebi, Toast Coetzer, Erns Grundling, Dan Wylie, Pieter Odendaal, Dominique Botha, Peter Fox, Thandi Sliepen, Lerato Sibanda, Hugh Hodge, Julia Kramer, Patricia Schonstein, Dorian Haarhoff, Marguerite Van der Merwe, Diana Ferrus, Andries Walter Olifant and many more. To view our full programme visit www.poetryinmcgregor.co.za
Founder of the McGregor Poetry Festival, Billy Kennedy says, “Poetry is intensely valuable to me, and I reckon for the planet too. From a child, blest by the presence of a passionate English teacher, to this present day as a Retreat director at Temenos, poetry has been a thread running through my life. Like Zorba, poetry can embrace and celebrate the ‘full catastrophe’ of being alive, the paradox of what it is to be fully human and divine. It can launch one into a moment of unsurpassed beauty, and into an extraordinary awareness of being connected to a myriad of things. It can also be an antidote to despair or tiredness and loneliness. One can even truly solve problems with its lines – not just their lexicon, but the life breathed into form by rhythm, rhyme or meter. It is the borrowed voice that colors a deeper awareness of who we are and what we experience. Poetry is often undervalued and avoided perhaps because it has a potential to propel one, on one hand, into introspection and on the other, into a vast realm of previously unimagined possibilities.”
The Poetry in McGregor Festival is organised by The MAC Project. They would like to thank the following sponsors for their contribution to this year’s festival: ClemenGold Gin, Zandvliet Wine Estate, Graham Beck, Hiemstra Trust and Leila Witkin.
The MAC Project (The McGregor Arts and Community Project) is a non-profit organisation. Any profits made are channelled back into the community of McGregor to give support to local creative projects eg art and culture groups, dance groups, bands, choirs and child-care facilities.
Poetry Writing Competition: The winners of this year`s competition will be announced at the opening function at the Book Tent on Friday 23 August. This year’s entries for the annual Poetry Competition were of the highest standard to date. Inspired by the theme, poets from across the country submitted a wide range of eye opening and jaw dropping entries. The organisers have invited well known actor Ashley Dowds to read the finalists’ poems so that you may enjoy the full impact of the poems selected by our judges. Free Entry at Chalice, Temenos – Sunday 25 Aug/9am.
Picture: Suppplied
Details
Date: August 23Time: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Cost: R250
Venue
McGregorSouth Africa
