A decision to proclaim 21 March as World Poetry Day was adopted during UNESCO’s 30th session held in Paris in 1999.
One of the main objectives of the Day is to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities.
The observance of World Poetry Day is also meant to encourage a return to the oral tradition of poetry recitals, to promote the teaching of poetry, to restore a dialogue between poetry and the other arts such as theatre, dance, music and painting, and to support small publishers and create an attractive image of poetry in the media, so that the art of poetry will no longer be considered an outdated form of art, but one which enables society as a whole to regain and assert its identity.
The selection of poetry below is not even a scratch at the surface of poetry all over the world. Take a moment to think about how you feel, talk and write about poetry. Poetry can be heartwarming, sublime, hilarious and political all at once.
What do you like about it? What don’t you like? What inspires you?
Forum Literary Magazine 