MESSAGE FROM THE MALAWI PEN PRESIDENT ON WORLD POETRY DAY,21 MARCH 2010

Malawi PEN


words, words nothing but words


Message from Mr Alfred Msadala, President, on the occasion of UNESCO World Poetry Day, 2010

Dear colleagues in the family of Malawi PEN. It is very gratifying, once again, that we commune together this year to celebrate the World Poetry Day, 21 March, 2010. As you may recall, it is now becoming a routine in our calendar that we observe the day together with the rest of the world. Our theme of words, words nothing but words is very pertinent with what poetry is all about because no language can stand on its own without poetics. On a didactic note, poetry is about beauty, sounds, images, emotions and insights which should be put onto paper thereby becoming words.

In her message to this year’s commemoration, Madame Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO wishes us to observe the day with a conviction that poetry is part of our life; which at times, we find ourselves ignoring the fact and I quote:

‘Poetry is a collection of universal resonances. It needs, however, to be better known, brought down from its pedestal, so as to simply find its place at the heart of life.’

I would like to take this opportunity that the PEN through its Charter affirms that literature must remain a common currency among people in spite of political or international upheavals.

As you may recall, last year, we commemorated the day at the Catholic University, courtesy of the vice chancellor, Prof. Anaclet Phiri, who even graced the occasion. This year, we are joining our colleagues, the Poetry Association of Malawi, at The Warehouse for the afternoon of Chitsinda cha Ndakatulo. I urge you all to patronise.

The Words of Nature, the Nature of the Words is the theme for the day this year.

Best regards