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Glad to host the 2017 Haiku Canada Conference at UTM

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The 2017 Haiku Canada Weekend was successfully held at UTM (University of Toronto, Mississauga campus) May 19-21, 2017. More than 50 haiku poets from across Canada attended this event; there were also poets from Japan and the USA. Most of them have been writing haiku for 20 years or more and many of them have become

day1hcf3laugh1hcf5hcf1hcf2group_25friends because of their mutual passion. They were glad to welcome new haiku lovers and support Anna Yin, first-time attendee and host.

To open the night, Anna showed a special short film about Mississauga which she had prepared to welcome guests to the city. She also invited them to explore the city and write about it during their visit. Next, co-host Nick Avis, a prominent poet from Newfoundland stirred up a thoughtful and dynamic discussion with his presentation: “What is Haiku?” The following member anthology: “Wordless: Haiku Canada 40 Years of Haiku” round robin reading illustrated the beauty of the art of haiku. Jacquie Pearce’s “The Vancouver Haiku Group in Dr. Sun Yat-sen Garden” presented how photo of garden worked with three-line poetry. Later the same night, a Renku party lit up a sleepless night.

The next day, exciting activities continued. These included “anonymous workshops” by nick avis and Terry Ann Carter where heated debates about how and what to edit were engaged in. “Memories of Haiku Canada” by Emiko Miashita of Japan resonated with many member’s recollections. Then individual book launches brought rich cultural heritage and various styles to the meeting.  The banquet for the 40th Haiku Canada birthday party was a great success and filled with shared anecdotes that brought many tears and laughter!

The weekend ended with a book launch of “Erotic Haiku of Skin on Skin” anthology published by Black Moss Press and other dynamic enjoyable activities. After affectionate goodbyes, many poets expressed the desire to attend next year’s conference at Quebec Bishops university.

Photos by Pearl Pirie and more can be viewed (a link of photos). The group photo by Eudoro Unitec. Thank Lynne Jambor for the beautiful name tags, Jessica Tremblay for Old Pond Comic book and many people for your help and support. Looking forward to seeing you again.

You can listento to Pearl Pirie‘s The radio show episode on Haiku Canada Conference 

 

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More poetry Alive workshops for Poets In Schools program

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At Agincourt Collegiate, photo by Paul Keramedes, Thanks!

I conduct Poetry Alive workshops not only to teach poetry, but also to discover life lessons. On Feb 2, at Agincourt Collegiate, students and I engaged in the exercises: “Who am I?” and “The Trouble with…”. I want to thank Mr. Thomas and his Grade 11 and 12 students for joining with me in these workshops and sharing what they wrote.

On Feb 24, I will be a Judge for Poem/Speech Competition at St. Jude’s Academy. On March 8, I will mentor at ConnectHer event. Feel free to join us.

On Feb 26, Poetry Alive workshop for Leadership Club at CPAC, then on March 3/9, for Dolphin Sr. Public School 

 

 

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Poetry Night | Readings with Canadian Poets Laureate

photo by Paul Damaso

Thank you all for this special night. It began with Youth Spoken Word Performance and followed by a round robin reading by four poets laureate: Marty Geivais (Windsor), John. B. Lee (Brantford), George Elliott Clarke (National) and Anna Yin (Mississauga). Chaired by Richard Greene.  (Read our featured poets’ biographies)

We thank the Culture Division of Mississauga and the League of Canadian Poets for supports. Read Mississauga News  and respond to us: Does Poetry matter?   read more…

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Thank ShiYing for taking wonderful photos.

Here is a link for a part of videos at the event.  See you next time!