Events
Public | Schools | Community | Hunt the poem
Each year, the month of February is dedicated to one book, to get us all reading together. This year, it’s the Carry a Poem collection, and there will be a whole month of special Carry a Poem events across Edinburgh.
From crafty poetry sessions and readings to the jazz night and Poetry Olympics, there’s plenty for everyone – download the events listings, or view them on the City of Literature’s full What’s On listings.
Poetry Projections
Buildings across Edinburgh have been carrying poems – from the Usher Hall and the National library of Scotland to the Royal Mile and City Chambers on Cockburn Street. Just announced – Leith Walk will light up too!
School Events
The schools programme of activity includes free books for every Edinburgh school, and special events run by our Poetry School, Holyrood High School.
Community Events
The community-based programme dedicates books and resources to adult learners, community centres and book groups.
The Old Town Poetry Trail
Explore the poetic history of the Old Town on this walking tour led by poet Ken Cockburn. Beginning on the High Street, we’ll make our way down the Canongate to the Scottish Parliament. On the way we’ll visit courtyards, kirkyards and vennels, accompanied by the words of poets old and new, from Burns and Fergusson to MacCaig and De Luca.
Sat 27th Feb, 2.30pm JUST ANNOUNCED – Extra 4pm tour.
£5 – Email: events@cityofliterature.com
Starts at Scottish Storytelling Centre
Golden Hour
This eclectic evening of poetry, stories, cartoons and music is sure to send you away carrying a poem in your head and a song in your step! Host Ryan Van Winkle is joined by poet Tom Pow, Read This’ Claire Askew, writer Ewan Morrison and live music from Panda Su, Robin Grey and Diddly Squat. If you like breathing you’re probably going to want to be there.
Wed 17th Feb, 8pm
Free, non-ticketed
Forest Cafe, 3 Bristo Place EH1 1EY
Poetry Olympics
A day of family fun and poetry like you’ve never seen before! We dare you to take the Carry a Poem Olympic Challenge, with poem and spoon, sack races, toss the poem and much more athletic activity. Face painting and tea stall included.
Sat 20th Feb, 1pm – 4pm – Free, non-ticketed
Holyrood Park (Education Centre)
Bookshop Poetry Party Night
BOYP or Bring Out Your Poetry! Join us for an evening of poetry and words featuring a selection of Scottish poets.
Wed 24th Feb, 7.30pm
£5 (inclusive of glass of wine), booking essential
The Edinburgh Bookshop, 181 Bruntsfield Place EH10 4DG
Email: info@edinburghbookshop.com
Poetry Snowdrops
Join the Botanics’ Ranger Team and meander through the all-February treat that is the first sight of snowdrops. Where is the poetry, we hear you say? We’ve thought about that too – there’ll be a snowdrop poem to carry home with you
(age 7+).
Mon 1st Feb, then every Tue, Thur & Sat in Feb,
11am & 2pm (30mins)
Free, non-ticketed
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh John Hope Gateway reception, Arboretum Place
Kind of Larkin
Listen to readings from Philip Larkin’s jazz poetry and extracts from his amusing jazz reviews. Between the readings there will be appropriate instrumental jazz played by a live band… Ba ba ba boom. With actor John Sessions.
Fri 26th Feb, 7.30pm
Free, booking essential
Central Library George IV Bridge EH1 1EG
E-mail: garry.gale@edinburgh.gov.uk
Getting into Poetry
Missed our two previous Getting into Poetry sessions? Inspired by the Carry a Poem campaign to get closer to poetry? Let Lilias Fraser help you enjoy reading poetry for pleasure.
Sat 27th Feb, 11am
Carry a Poem Aloud
Do you have a favourite poem? Do you love hearing poems read aloud? Come to our poems aloud session where we’ll be sharing the poems we carry with us, in our hearts and even in our pockets. Bring any poem you’d like to hear and share and we’ll read a few from our roving poetry collection.
Fri 5th Mar, 2pm – 3pm – free, non-ticketed
Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue EH15 1AU
PoeTree
Visit the John Hope Gateway at the Botanics and take a moment to create your own poem or write down a line you’ve never forgotten and hang it on our indoor ‘poetry tree’.
Throughout February, 10am – 4pm
Free, non-ticketed
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh John Hope
Gateway exhibition area, Arboretum Place
Tel: 0131 248 2909
Email: events@rbge.org.uk
Poetree swap
Hang up your favourite poem and take a new one away with you.
Throughout February, 8am – 6pm
Free, non-ticketed
Poetry Garden St Andrew Square EH2 2AD
Bring a poem to WHALE
Throughout February, bring a poem to WHALE and drop it in the poetry box. Then we will type them up and exhibit all of the poems in the last week of February.
Free, non-ticketed
WHALE Arts Agency
30 Westburn Grove EH14 2SA
Tel: 0131 458 3267
Email: adult@whalearts.co.uk
Picture The Poem
Edinburgh Napier University is asking primary school children to draw how they carry their favourite poem, either for real or in their imagination. All the work will feature in an exhibition at the University’s Craighouse Campus. There’s an awards ceremony too! To enter, visit:
www.napier.ac.uk/scob
Feb 26th – Mar 5th
Free
Edinburgh Napier University
Craighouse Campus, Craighouse Road EH10 5LG
