Poetry possesses a remarkable ability to penetrate even the most rigid concepts, soften hardened hearts, and temper strong attitudes. Embedded within our daily routines and conversations, poetry subtly shapes our perceptions and influences our thoughts.
UNESCO officially declared 21 March as World Poetry Day during its 30th General Conference in Paris, France, in 1999. This annual commemoration serves as a catalyst for nurturing a deeper appreciation for poetry and its transformative power. UNESCO’s objective is clear: to promote linguistic diversity by encouraging poetic expression and amplifying the voices of endangered languages.
World Poetry Day provides a platform to celebrate poets, revitalize oral traditions through recitals, and advocate for the reading, writing, and teaching of poetry. It fosters interdisciplinary connections, bridging poetry with other art forms such as theatre, dance, music, and painting, thereby elevating poetry’s visibility in mainstream media.
At its core, World Poetry Day seeks to ignite a global movement to promote poetry’s consumption, creation, dissemination, and education. It aims to breathe new life into national, regional, and international poetry communities, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
Around the world, nations proudly showcase their rich traditions and customs intertwined with poetry. This cultural heritage not only preserves ancestral legacies but also serves as a vibrant expression of diverse lifestyles. Poetry acts as a unifying thread, weaving together the tapestry of global cultures into a colourful garland of shared humanity.
Moreover, poetry serves as a universal language transcending geographical and linguistic boundaries. Through the exchange of knowledge, culture, and artistic expressions, poetry facilitates connections between people, fostering compassion, empathy, and rationality. It has the potential to reshape global dynamics, mitigating conflicts and promoting harmony.
As we embrace the significance of poetry in shaping hearts and minds, let us recognize its pivotal role in fostering a more inclusive and compassionate world. By engaging with poetry, we cultivate empathy, celebrate diversity, and inspire positive change. Together, let us harness the power of poetry to optimize the globe and create a brighter future for generations to come.
“Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” is the celebratory theme for World Poetry Day 2024, marked annually on 21 March. The theme nods to iconic writers of the past whose trailblazing works enlarged poetry’s footprint across cultures. In fact, as honouring the poetry act is a fine tradition for the global people, they all have to sustain the tradition for perpetual existence, setting aside the hardness of hearts and souls of some individuals who neglect the peace and prosperity of the world.
