Now here is something I am very happy to boast about. Last night, at an event at the Bloomsbury Festival in London, a new and very unique publication was launched. In Protest: 150 Poems for Human Rights is an ambitious new publication, sponsored by Spread the Word, aiming to bring together the fields of human rights research and literature in an innovative way. Selected from over 600 poems submitted by established and emerging poets, it provides a rare international insight into issues ranging from the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the Hola massacre and indigenous peoples’ rights to the current war in Syria. Poets from around the world explore themes of human rights and social justice in a unique collaboration between the Human Rights Consortium and the Institute of English Studies (both School of Advanced Study, University of London), and London-based poetry collective the Keats House Poets. I am incredibly proud to have two of my own poems included.
The poets come from a variety of backgrounds from more than 16 countries. The 150 chosen poems include works from jailed Colombian human rights activist David Ravelo and acclaimed UK poets Carol Anne Duffy, Ruth Padel, Moniza Alvi and Douglas Dunn. Campaigner and philanthropist Sigrid Rausing, who wrote the afterword for the anthology, said:
Poetry brings tiny details to life, and in a world where human rights is mostly about reports and abstractions, where real life and real details are lost, poetry can still make us see and feel.
The anthology is Co-edited by Helle Abelvik-Lawson (Human Rights Consortium), Laila Sumpton and Anthony Hett (both Keats House Poets). Helle has said:
This book has validated my suspicion that there is space and enthusiasm for literary creativity in human rights. Reading and writing poetry is a very therapeutic way to process some of the darker aspects of humanity. That said, it’s not all doom and gloom – there are some very empowering, fun and funny poems in this book. The feeling of solidarity is palpable, and I feel very privileged to have been able to read so many incredible poems. Like any good anthology, each poem offers something unique, telling a different story about the human experience.
Without realising it, I have compartmentalised my own human rights activities into a separate corner of the box holding what I do. Sometimes I write poetry about it, but often not. This anthology has shown me how I can synthesise these two aspects of my writing life and that there really is a world of poets out there trying to do the same. I am very humbled to be a part of it, and now that I can read some of their work, I can’t wait to meet some of them.
You can buy a copy of the anthology here.
You deserve to feel proud, Sue, to be included there – well deserved and well worthwhile too.
Many many congratulations. xx