The head of Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) marked World Poetry Day by extolling the virtues of one of the highest forms of linguistic and cultural expression and calling for support to those who give it life.
“Through its words and its rhythm, poetry gives shape to our dreams of peace, justice and dignity, and gives us the strength and desire to mobilise to make them real,” Director-General Irina Bokova said in her message for the day which fell on March 21.
“All peoples throughout history have developed and practised forms of poetry, so as to pass on orally their knowledge, history and myths to express feelings, to talk about daily life, to withstand trials or to entertain,” she stated. “Today, contemporary forms of poetry, from graffiti to slam, enable young people to become engaged in the practice and renew it ...”
Unesco proclaimed March 21 as World Poetry Day in 1999, with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and offering endangered languages the opportunity to be heard.
