Press Release
This year, Poetry Downtown will celebrate the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe in four major cities: Boston on September 27, New York and Philadelphia on September 28, and Baltimore on September 29. Poetry Downtown, a free festival founded in 2021 by Dutch artist Erik van Loon as a birthday gift for his 50th birthday to America, aims to bring together poets and poetry enthusiasts from around the world.
Celebrating 175 Years of Edgar Allan Poe
Each year, Poetry Downtown honors a distinguished poet for their lifetime achievement. In 2021, the festival celebrated Kenneth Patchen with “Get Ready To Die”; in 2022, Charles Bukowski with “Some People Never Go Crazy”; and in 2023, Sylvia Plath with “I Never Could Talk To You.” This year, the festival pays tribute to Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809, Boston, MA – October 7, 1849, Baltimore, MD) on the 175th anniversary of his death with the theme “The Raven.” Poets are invited to submit their work by September 1st.
Four Cities in Three Days
Day 1: Boston, September 27
– 8:00-11:00 am: Poetry Cycle: Edgar Allan Poe in Boston
– 1:00-2:00 pm: Lecture: Literacy Through Poetry OFFICIAL OPENING
– 4:00-5:00 pm: Radio Play: A Voyage To The Moon
– 8:00-10:00 pm: Poetry Downtown Reading: Boston
– 10:00-11:00 pm: PATCH and the Ultimate Typewriter Showdown
Day 2: New York and Philadelphia, September 28
– 6:00-11:00 am: Poetry Train: Boston to New York
– 11:00-11:59 am: In New York, poets gather at Penn Station and travel together to Poe Park in the Bronx
– 12:30-1:30 pm: Lecture: Edgar Allan Poe in New York
– 1.30-3.30 pm: Poetry Downtown Reading: New York
– 5:00-6:30 pm: Poetry Train: New York to Philadelphia,
– 5:15-6:15 pm: Talk Show: The Raven
– 7:00-8:00 pm: Lecture : Edgar Allan Poe in Popular Culture
– 8:00-10:00 pm: Poetry Downtown Reading: Philadelphia
– 10:00-11:00 pm: PATCH and the Ultimate Typewriter Showdown
Day 3: Philadelphia and Baltimore, September 29
– 8:00-12:00 am: Poetry Cycle : Edgar Allan Poe in Philadelphia
– 12:30-1:41 pm: Poetry Train: Philadelphia to Baltimore
– 2:00-3:00 pm: Lecture: Edgar Allan Poe Brilliant of Mad?
– 3:30-6:00 pm: Poetry Cycle: Edgar Allan Poe in Baltimore
– 8:00-10:00 pm: Poetry Downtown Reading: Baltimore
– 10:00-12:00 pm: PATCH and the Ultimate Typewriter Showdown and doc. Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive
The Poetry Train
The 4th Poetry Train connects poets in 20 cities and towns across eight states from Boston to Baltimore, providing an affordable and unique opportunity for poets to network and collaborate during the journey.
Anthology and Zine
This year, an Anthology featuring 52 selected poets will be published, alongside a hand-printed and stapled Zine created on the Poetry Train. The Zine will include art, writings, and photos from the journey and will be distributed in Baltimore, with a limited print run of 100 copies.
Program and Menu
The festival highlights its diverse events and culinary experiences. The 12-page program, available at www.poetrydowntown.com/program, features nine local menus, four poetry readings, three lectures, two museum visits, and one concert.
Fighting Illiteracy
By uniting amateur and professional poets annually, Poetry Downtown promotes literacy within communities. Erik chose poetry above prose as a simple Haiku can already enhance listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, making it a powerful tool for education and creativity.
American Dream
Erik van Loon’s dream is to lease a dedicated Poetry Train by 2025, complete with restaurant, sleeper, disco, bar, and library cars. This year, he hopes to welcome 20 poets to join the Poetry Train, continuing to grow this unique festival.
Crowdfunding
Support Erik’s American Dream and help bring America together through poetry. Visit https://poetrydowntown.com/crowdfunding for more information on how to become a sponsor.
More info:
Poetry Downtown Festival
Erik van Loon
+316 E VAN LOON / +316 3 826 5666
www.poetrydowntown.com
Poetrydowntownfestival@gmail.com
