An Overview of Poetry Month in Namibia

Township Productions received financial support from the National Arts Council of Namibia in April 2011, to organised and host three poetry sessions in Windhoek. The funding was used to pay for administrative, publicity and refreshments for the 3 poetry sessions held in celebration of World Poetry Month. Township Productions in collaboration with Poetree hosted 3 poetry sessions at two different venues.  The Goethe-Zentrum, as also contributed logistical and human resource in hosting the 2 sessions hosted by them.

SESSION 1 of the World Poetry Celebration was held at the National Theatre of Namibia (Backstage) on the 14^th of April 2011. This session focussed on Namibian poetry written in English. A group of 10 poets participated in this session which gathered a handful of about 20 audience members. At the same session Helen Vale facilitated a discussion with regard to the writing of literature in English and the struggles poets experience with the language and structures of writing. She also discussed some of the poems presented and gave some advice to the poets.

SESSION 2, was hosted by the Goethe-Zentrum on the 21^st April 2011.   This session was focused on poetry in Indigenous languages. Languages represented at this session were Englich, Germany, Afrikaans, Khoekhoe Gowab, Oshivambo,  Portuguese, Himbundu and Otjiherero. The session was done in collaboration with David /Nanub Productions, which aims to promote poetry in Indigenous languages in Namibia.  In total 13 poets participated in this session. The guest for this session was Mr. Eixab, a well known artist and entertaining. He based his discussion on the importance of writing in our languages. Finding the beauty in our language and securing that our languages don’t disappear. He also emphasised on producing written material of our folktales so as to document out stories, poetry and sayings.

On the 28^th of April 2011, SESSION 3 was again hosted by the Goethe-Zetrum and the proceedings facilitated by Keamogetsi joseph MOLAPONG. A well attended event with more poets sharing their work and participating in the session. The special guest for this session was Mr. Mvula ya Nangolo, a renowned Namibia poet and pioneer of poetry before and after independence. He shared his experience as a published poet and publishing of poetry in general. He also expressed his desire to see more poetry platforms and especially a a editorial forum of poets. A platform where poets can share their work and constructively criticise each other’s writing skills.

This was indeed an experience worth repeating. The poets, audience members and guests to the poetry sessions, all expressed appreciation for the sessions and pledged to continue attending and supporting poetry sessions.  As the organiser, these sessions will continue and next year, the Poetry Month will be celebrated with more activities and we expect to secure the funding and support from arts institutions in Namibia, to realise he event.