The Wellington International Poetry Festival
From 3-6 November, 2005, the International Poetry Festival was held in Wellington for the third time, opening up an
opportunity for writers and readers to have immediate contact with colleagues from around the world: a world-famous
performance poet from Japan, a leading Irish poet, the best-known living Japanese writer of haiku, a young voice from
Russia, the controversial Algerian Ahmed Zaoui in his role as a poet, and many more writers from Mexico, India,
Australia, Canada, USA and elsewhere. There were also some interesting New Zealand voices to be heard. The centrepiece
was a documentary film called “Poetry in Wartime”, introduced by Sam Hamill, who features in the film and who founded
the worldwide movement, Poets Against War, which now has centres in more than thirty countries and membership in the
tens of thousands.
Sadly, although there was an impressive list of sponsors on the programme, official support was, in fact, minimal. And
where were the writers and readers of the region? Self-appointed arbiters of literary taste in the capital were
noticeably absent; the students who crowd into creative writing courses did not take the opportunity to expand their
experience of international poetry; those who teach literature in the tertiary institutions were nowhere to be seen; the
published writers of Wellington, with a few exceptions, failed to acknowledge their colleagues. In addtion, apart from
Radio New Zealand and "Good Morning T.V." (T.V.1), the Wellington - N.Z. fouth estate (especially printed media) were
nowhere to be seen
The organisers of the festival feel understandably discouraged and, no doubt, embarrassed at the small audiences the
poets from far and near encountered. On the principle of “use it or lose it”, Wellingtonians and other New Zealanders
are at risk of losing a chance to make contact with broader worlds. It is puzzling that a country so isolated
geographically should turn its back on an opportunity to span continents through the power of poetry. This festival will
die without your support. The festival is grateful for all expressions and contributions of support. Please add your
signature, return this email to us and indicate whether you are able to help the festival in any other way.
Dr. Nelson Wattie (Writer and Translator, New Zealand); Ron Riddell (Writer & Festival Coordinator, N.Z.); Saray Torres (Translator & Festival Coordinator, Colombia); Neil Furby (Writer & Event Coordinator, U.K./N.Z.); Alejandro Caballero (Escritor, Chile)