Poetry anthology gives voice to unheard people of Scotland
A Scottish literature charity this week publishes an anthology of poetry that gives voice to some of Scotland's unheard groups and voices.
Article Source: Open Book
Last Updated: 15 December 2020 10:30
Charity launches anthology of poems giving a voice to Scotland’s unheard people
An anthology of poems by a diverse range of modern Scots, including some from society’s most under-represented groups, is being launched this week.
This Gift of Time comes from Open Book, a charity that runs shared reading groups and creative writing sessions for the general public, multicultural and community groups, the homeless, refugees, prisoners, victims of domestic violence as well as people in care homes, hospitals and hospices.
The pamphlet features 35 poems by groups and individuals and reflects the joys, sorrows and experiences of people of many different ages, communities and backgrounds. Contributions come from Women’s Aid Inverness, Perth Adult Learners, Stranraer Library group, Bethany Christian Trust and more, including three groups in Dundee.
Marjorie Lotfi Gill, a co-founder of Open Book whose own family were refugees from Iran, said: “These poems are a snapshot of the lives of real people in many places across Scotland during challenging times.
“They have a magic about them precisely because they are the thoughts, feelings and experiences of people in shelters, of refugees and a multitude of others. For many of them, the idea that what they have to say matters and will be listened to by others is enormously important. These are the voices of people who are seldom heard, and their life histories and histories really do matter.”
The pandemic meant meetings had to go online and some groups, particularly in care homes, have been suspended.
Claire Urquhart, Director and co-founder, said: “Our whole idea is to use poetry and literature as a tool to bring people together and create connections, so Covid-19 was potentially devastating. Meetings had always been in person and in the space of a fortnight we had to perform a complete about-face to become an organisation that met online.
“But for many people having online sessions helped break the isolation of lockdown. We are ending 2020 with the publication of this new anthology of poems and in total this coming year we’ll deliver around 1,400 sessions for more than 70 groups.”
Among the contributors to the anthology is Rosalind Alexander, a member of the Bugle Group run by Bethany Christian Trust in Edinburgh which meets weekly and which is dedicated to ending homelessness. Each month Open Book runs a creative writing session with the Bugle Group writers.
She said: “This is great news for me, it’s wonderful to have one of my poems published and it’s all part of my journey. It’s my dream to have a book of my poems and photography published one day.”
Rosalind started writing poetry to help her come to terms with difficult experiences in her own life, such as the death of her mother, and has since found that other people find her words helpful. She has very much looked forward to the group’s weekly online meetings during the pandemic.
Another contributor is Andrés N. Ordorica, an Edinburgh-based queer Latinx writer who became involved with Open Book through its BAME Writers group.
He encouraged people to get a copy of This Gift of Time saying: “I believe there is a type of poetry for everyone. I encourage those who might not regularly, or ever, read poetry to start with pamphlets like this one that showcase an array of talent and styles.
“Poetry is beautiful means of capturing human experiences in very succinct ways and can help make sense of the world by adding a bit of lyrical and metaphorical distance from emotions you may be working through. You can walk away thinking ‘okay, that was nice’ and then days later a profound understanding of what you read hits you.”
Minaxi Champaneri, who arrived from India 40 years ago speaking little English but is now a translator, has a poem called Lightness in the collection. She became involved with Open Book through its work with the Maryhill Integration Network in Glasgow.
She said: “When Covid came along my work stopped and I was tearing my hair out and wanting to do something with my time. The Zoom sessions have been wonderful, and so inspiring, it really makes your brain open up and gives you so many ideas. They were so encouraging, and told me I could do it, so I thought to myself ‘why not? I have written poetry in Gujarati, I can do it in English too’.”
Katherine Mackinnon, who is a facilitator at Maryhill and at HMP Greenock, said: “Looking at poetry with people from very different backgrounds and life experiences is highly rewarding, you see poems in very new and different ways. Because Open Book sessions each have a theme they can bring to light all sorts experiences in people’s lives.
“It’s a wonderful thing to do, people find it really joyful. Maryhill has now had a number of pieces published – it’s a powerhouse of poetry production.”
Open Book is developing in many directions. It already has specific BAME and LGBTQ+ groups, has recently set up a Scots language group. A Gaelic one will soon be up and running and there are even hopes of one for Arabic speakers.
• This Gift of Time costs £5 plus postage and will be publicly launched online on 17 December at 7-8pm – join this free event at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/this-gift-of-time-double-launch-tickets-131018516911
• The event will also see the launch of a 50-page booklet of uplifting short stories specially commissioned by Open Book and called Unbound and includes works by Kate Smith, Siân Bevan, Russell Jones, Linda Cracknell, Elspeth Wilson, Lisa Williams, Sophie Law, Kathryn Koromilas, Beth Godfrey, Iain Matheson & Pauline Moore and which costs £6 plus postage.
• Both publications can be bought from the Open Book website at https://openbookreading.com
Image: Claire Urquhart and Marjorie Lotfi Gill
Image credit: Colin Tennant
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.
READ MORE
Festive fun on the farm at the National Museum of Rural Life
Celebrate the season with festive fun for the whole family at the National Museum of Rural Life.
READ MORE
Braehead celebrates bright young business stars this Christmas
Scotland's premier retail destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, today announce that this Christmas they will again welcome the Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fayre.
READ MORE
Breakout Scots star urges young people to discover new artists IRL at Celtic Connections coffee pop ups
Katie Gregson-MacLeod is urging young Glaswegians to discover new music IRL as Celtic Connections brings free pop-up gigs to Patricia's x SLB, Through The House and Black Pine this Saturday.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!
READ MORE
Calum Bowie gives Barrowland call up to 2 rising stars for landmark 5th December show
Calum Bowie has invited two fresh local talents to support him at his upcoming landmark show in December at The Barrowlands!
READ MORE
Partick Film Festival returns in January with special anniversary screening of Rob Roy
Partick Film Festival returns in January with a range of events including a special 30th anniversary screening of Rob Roy, followed by a Q&A with the director Michael Caton-Jones.
READ MORE
Somewhere by Nico Launches Festive Cocktail Experience
This festive season, Glasgow and Edinburgh relevellers can relive the magic of Christmas past as Somewhere by Nico unveil a brand-new immersive experience!
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity Ambassadog Baxter leads the way at Santa Dash 2025
Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that our Ambassadog, Baxter, will be taking part in this year's Santa Dash on Sunday 7th December!
READ MORE
Zizzi celebrates a fresh era with a new menu and app, by giving 132 people free pasta for one year
Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.
READ MORE
Festive Season at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.
READ MORE
From The Gannet to Eleven Fifty Five: Peter McKenna announces new Argyle Street restaurant
Peter McKenna, chef-owner of The Gannet in Glasgow, along with Kevin Dow, are set to open a new restaurant, Eleven Fifty Five, in its place in Finnieston early next year.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort to welcome new Mexican restaurant this week
Mezcal, the lively Mexican street-food restaurant, is set to open its doors at Glasgow Fort on Wednesday 26th November, bringing even more choice for visitors ahead of the festive period.
READ MORE
Second year of Urban Forestry Programme opens across Scotland
Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.
READ MORE
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time returns to Glasgow in March 2027
A brand-new staging of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time based on the internationally celebrated novel comes to Glasgow's Theatre Royal in March 2027!
READ MORE
MINISO is coming to Buchanan Street... get ready to explore!
Global lifestyle sensation MINISO is set to bring its signature blend of joy, creativity, and affordable design to Buchanan Street, with a brand-new store opening on 26th November!
READ MORE
Black Friday Savings at Buchanan Galleries
Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow is abuzz with Black Friday deals, offering shoppers incredible discounts across a wide range of products – from fashion and footwear to jewellery, beauty, and homeware.
READ MORE
The Maclean Brothers row onto Celtic Connections bill as new wave of shows announced
The Maclean Brothers are among a wave of exciting new names to join the world-renowned Celtic Connections bill, it has been announced.
READ MORE
BBC CBeebies starts the panto season at Glasgow cinemas
The CBeebies panto Cinderella is coming to the big screen in Glasgow from Friday 21st November.
READ MORE
The Pavilion Theatre is taking part in the largest Black Friday Theatre Sale in the UK
As part of Trafalgar Entertainment, customers can now access some of the best theatre ticket deals for shows at the Pavilion Theatre as well as unmissable productions in the West End.
READ MORE
BBC ALBA Hogmanay Ceilidh to broadcast live from Glasgow
BBC ALBA will bring together some of Gaelic music's biggest names as Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire returns to Glasgow to celebrate Hogmanay and usher in 2026.
READ MORE
Cast Announced for Flora, a new musical coming to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow
The full cast has been revealed for Flora which sees one of Scotland's most famous daughters, Flora MacDonald, take centre stage to tell her own tale!
READ MORE
Christmas in Edinburgh and Glasgow: Celebrate the festive season with Candlelight Concerts
Featuring classic Christmas carols, this live, multi-sensory musical experience will light up St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral and Merchants House and The Trades Hall for an unforgettable evening.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn to open the biggest festive beer hall in Glasgow at Winter Wonderland on The Green
Glasgow is getting its largest-ever Christmas beer hall, and it’s all down to award-winning brewer Innis & Gunn.
READ MORE
Find a festive backdrop in Glasgow and the West
From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.
READ MORE
Glaswegians invited to Panto Town as Glasgow 850 finishes with festive flourish
Glaswegians are being urged to embrace the unique spirit of the city's pantomimes with the launch of Get You in Panto Town!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries celebrates the season of giving with festive family fun
The magic of Christmas has arrived at Buchanan Galleries, with a heartwarming line-up of festive activities taking place throughout November and December.
READ MORE
Scottish Ballet creates a brand new wee version of the big ballet
Scottish Ballet's Wee Nutcracker is coming to Glasgow's Tramway this December. The beloved festive ballet, The Nutcracker, has been specially adapted for wee ones aged 5+ and their families!
READ MORE
The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz: New adult panto brings comedy to Scotland in January
January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!
READ MORE
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan lead new production of Waiting for Godot at the Citz
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star as Estragon and Vladimir in a new production of Waiting for Godot, co-produced with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Octagon Theatre Bolton.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links