Poets of Grace filming project is this Friday morning
The Poets of Grace, a project aligned with the Mullingar Literary Festival, is going ahead and the organisers are asking people to attend an event this Friday morning.
Don Mortell, a committee member for the Mullingar Literary Festival, explained. Reminding readers that the festival runs from Friday July 4 to Sunday July 6, he said: “We can promise something for everyone, young and old, fantastic guests and brilliant music. Keep an eye out for our social media posts and, of course, the website.
“The Poets of Grace is a video project which is asking you, talented Westmeath creators, to read either your own or a favourite piece of poetry that has meant something to you over the years, direct to camera.
“It will be filmed in a one-shot style, in Grace Cafe – hence the name The Poets of Grace – which is the former-Presbyterian church on Castle Street, on Friday, February 7, at 10am.”
By way of reassurance to those who are interested, but unsure of what’s involved, Don said there are no professional camera rigs; it’s just filming on camera phones, “so don’t be nervous”.
It’s not too late to take part; find Don on social media or contact him at 087 611 6883.
Meanwhile, plans for the festival in July are developing. It will include workshops, interviews with authors, children’s events, open mic events, a slam poetry event for younger creators and music from local performers – and ‘The ‘Garchive’.
That aims to be an online repository of stories and memories of Westmeath as told by more mature residents, and it will run for the duration of 2025.
There will also be the ‘Mullingar Litcast’, a podcast Don will host to keep people up to date with plans for the festival and beyond. There will be a celebration of LGBTQI+ literature and poetry with an open mic event.