United Nations (UN)’s World Poetry Day is annually observed across the globe on March 21 to promote the reading, writing, publishing, and teaching of poetry. The day celebrates one of humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression and identity.
- World Poetry Day 2023 was observed on 21st March 2023 under the theme “Always be a poet, even in prose”.
Background:
i.The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) first adopted 21st March as World Poetry Day during its 30th General Conference in Paris, France in 1999.
- The adoption was done with the purpose of recognising poetry’s special capacity to capture the imaginative spirit of people, promote cultural variety, and encourage communication and peace.
ii. The 1st ever World Poetry Day was observed on March 21, 2000.
Aim:
i. The day aims to promote linguistic diversity through literary expression and provide the chance for their communities to hear endangered languages.
ii. It also aims to enhance the oral tradition of poetry recitals, promote the teaching of poetry, and restore a dialogue between poetry and other arts such as theatre, dance, music, and painting.
Poetry:
i. The term ‘Poetry’ is derived from the Greek word poiein, meaning “to make”.
ii. Poetry is a form of literature that uses language in an artistic and expressive way.
- It is characterised by its use of figurative language, rhythm, and sound to convey a range of emotions from the reader.
iii. Haiku, Free Verse, Sonnet, Acrostic, Ode, Elegy, and Ballad are some of the types of poetry.
iv. The elements of the poetry are Prosody; Rhythm; Meter; Metrical patterns; Rhyme, alliteration, assonance; and Rhyming schemes.
About the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General- Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters- Paris, France
Establishment- 1945 (came into force in 1946)
Members- 193 Members and 11 Associate Members.
