Poetic Epiphany: The National Poetry Month Gala

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This August witnessed the sixth annual Poetry Month, a month-long celebration of the art form that culminated in the National Poetry Month Gala, held at the State Library of New South Wales last Thursday evening.

The event encapsulated what Poetry Month is all about: celebrating the poetic form (in all of its forms). There was poetry that bridged difficult conversations and poetry that was needed, there was love poetry and poetry that made us laugh, there was new poetry, new poets, poetry that was music, a poem composed on the train ride to the event and a comic poem about Leonardo Da Vinci's first day of the Italian renaissance.

For Tenzin Choegyal, one of the featured artists of the night, the Gala "was beautifully curated with much inclusive space for diverse voices to come together under a shared roof."

We, too, found ourselves stuck by the energy of the room — a space one audience member felt to "hold such richness of spirit." As well as this, we were thrilled to have fostered a space where poetry could be enjoyed by all — poets and non-poets alike — including our most recent convert, our photographer for the evening, Jamie James, who told us that they "had the poetry epiphany," while photographing the event.

"I had the poetry epiphany and realised it's the art form that truly speaks hardcore, brave conversations, unapologetically, and that the audience needs that. We all need that. So very cool."

~ Jamie James, event photographer, Poetry Month Gala

Poetry Month has always been about showcasing the range that the poetic form has to offer. Over the years, we've come to realise that poetry, itself, has many offerings — poetry means something different to each and every one of us.

We asked audience members what poetry means to them, hear what they had to say:

Poetry's Night of Nights

"A magnificent showcase of Australian talent. It was a privilege to be able to read with such a diverse group of Australian poets, to share my work with a completely fresh audience..."

~ Hera Lindsay Bird (NZ), featured poet, Poetry Month Gala

At the National Poetry Month Gala we heard from some of our finest contemporary poets, wordsmiths and spoken word artists including Evelyn Araluen, Dakota Feirer, Lisa Gorton, Hera Lindsay Bird (NZ), Jihad Yassine, and special guest Zoe Terakes. Hosted by much-loved presenter and journalist Jan Fran, the night also featured a breathtaking musical performance by Grammy-nominated Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal.

Missed out on the sold-out event? Or want to re-live the magic? You can watch the full live-stream here:

"As a Tibetan artist living in Australia, I navigate and make sense of life through art, and poetry has particularly powerful a way of mapping the emotions and complexities of what we are experiencing as Australians... [The Gala] was a deeply meaningful evening that celebrated connection, belonging and the power of the arts of poetry to help us understand one another and the world around us"

~ Tenzin Choegyal featured artist, Poetry Month Gala