Press Release
This year, Poetry Downtown proudly honors the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe with a four-city celebration. The festivities will take place in Boston on September 27, New York and Philadelphia on September 28, and Baltimore on September 29. The three-day, multi-city poetry festival begins in Boston, culminating in the Poetry Downtown Boston Reading at the Long Wharf Pavilion.
Poetry Downtown
Each year, Poetry Downtown invites the finest poets to participate in its festival. This year, the festival’s jury will select 13 emerging poets to read in each city. The 52 selected poets will also be published in the annual Poetry Downtown anthology. To be considered for selection, poets must submit a poem inspired by “The Raven” by September 1, as we celebrate the 175th anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s death on October 7, 1849.
Long Wharf Pavilion
In each city, we seek unique locations. In Baltimore, we will read at Protean Books, in Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Ethical Society at Rittenhouse Square, in New York in front of the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, and in Boston we found this beautifull location. In 1796, Edgar Allan Poe’s mother, Eliza (then nine years old), arrived at Long Wharf from England with her mother. 13 years after their arrival little Edgar Allan was born at 62 Charles Street South. Long Wharf is also amazing as Edgar Allan Poe loved to travel by ship and I believe he must have walked here as well.
Jury
Each year, Poetry Downtown strives to enlist the most esteemed jury members for the festival. This year’s panel includes:
– Erik van Loon: Dutch artist and founder of the Poetry Downtown Festival
– Chris Semtner: Curator of the Edgar Allan Poe Museum, author and artist
– G.H. Mosson: Poet with with multiple nominations and prestigious journal publications
All events in Boston
8-12.00 am Poetry Cycle Boston
A literary cycle of 5 miles in which we follow Edgar Allan Poe from his birthplace, via Edgar Allan Poe Square to Fort Independence where he was stationed.
1-2 pm Literacy Through Poetry
At the Boston Public Library, Professor Becker will delve into the vital role poetry can play in combating illiteracy.
3-4 pm Fly With Me To The Moon
At the Boston Public Library, we embark on a solo trip with Edgar Allan Poe en route to the Moon, escaping civilization and crossing to another planetary body.
8.00-10.00 pm Poetry Downtown Reading Boston
see above.
10.00-11.00 pm PATCH Boston
Each day concludes with PATCH (Poetry and Tales Cocktail Hour). At PATCH we also host the Ultimate Typewriter Showdown.
* all events are free
Boston – New York – Philadelphia – Baltimore
As mentioned earlier, the 4th Poetry Downtown Festival will take place in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. This year’s festival promises a rich array of events and culinary delights, including 12 distinct dishes, four poetry readings, four lectures, three poetry cycles, three PATCH, one talk show, and one radio play. Poets will journey on the Poetry Train, traveling between cities and towns across eight states from Boston to Baltimore. This unique and affordable experience offers poets the chance to network and collaborate, connecting poets in twenty different cities and towns.
Poetry Train
Erik van Loon envisions leasing a dedicated Poetry Train by 2025, equipped with restaurant, sleeper, disco, bar, and library cars. This year, he aims to welcome 40 poets aboard the Poetry Train, further expanding this unique festival. Support Erik’s American dream and help unite the country through the power of poetry. Visit https://poetrydowntown.com/crowdfunding for more information on how to become a sponsor.
More info:
4th Poetry Downtown Festival
Erik van Loon
+316 E VAN LOON / +316 3 826 5666
www.poetrydowntown.com
Poetrydowntownfestival@gmail.com
