National Poetry Day 2024 is upon us, giving everyone the chance to celebrate and enjoy the art form.
Research has suggested that poetry can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, and during the pandemic there was a special website called poetryandcovid.com to help people through a difficult time in a creative way.
The organisers of the national day feel that poetry can do a lot of good and are wanting to share the love.
What is National Poetry Day?
National Poetry Day is the biggest mass celebration of poetry in the UK.
“It’s a chance for all of us to share in the pleasure of poetry,” reads the official website.
“You’ll see it everywhere, from schools and libraries to cultural venues and across the national media. With 1.5 million people participating on the day, there’s loads of ways to get involved!”
The event is put on by the Forward Arts Foundation - which in 2022 celebrated its 30th birthday with a reception with the late Queen.
When is National Poetry Day?
National Poetry Day is celebrated on October 3, which in 2024 fell on a Thursday.
The theme for 2024 was counting.
One teacher said of the day: “Taking part in national events helps build a sense of pride, self-worth… For students with SEN, poetry is a way of expressing their feelings and creativity in a short accessible way, without the intimidating target of pages of text.”
National Poetry Day as an organisation holds events throughout the year and has also set up Guinness World Record attempts.
There were some poems on Twitter to celebrate the day.
Happy #NationalPoetryDay to those who celebrate.
— Brian Bilston (@brian_bilston) October 3, 2024
Here’s a poem constructed entirely from popular Google searches about poetry. It’s called ‘In Search of Poetry.’ pic.twitter.com/Dx6WlVGJ4Z
Today is National Poetry Day!
— Network Rail Kent & Sussex (@NetworkRailSE) October 3, 2024
When he isn’t keeping the railway safe and moving freely, Network Rail signaller Ezra Miles is penning his thoughts down in the form of poetry.
Listen to three of his railway inspired poems below & read his story here: https://t.co/5ynpB97awb pic.twitter.com/NMFpy0z4tC
Happy national poetry day!
— Jen Ratcliffe 🍊📙⛵ (@compass_keen) October 3, 2024
Here is a poem from the great Mary Oliver @MaOlPoetry
Let's watch and be the wild geese in each others worlds🪿#NationalPoetryDay #NatureWriter pic.twitter.com/87G91iQRT6
