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Poetry Pavilion Debuts at National Book Festival

National Endowment for the Arts Sponsors Inaugural Poetry Pavilion

September 26, 2003

 

Contact:
Victoria Hutter
202-682-5570
 

Washington, D.C. - In recognition of the importance of poetry to American and world culture and poetry's increasing popularity, the National Endowment for the Arts is presenting a Poetry Pavilion at the National Book Festival on Saturday, October 4. This marks the first time that poetry has been featured at the Book Festival and the Arts Endowment is pleased to sponsor its roster of artists. The third annual National Book Festival, sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by Laura Bush, will be held on the National Mall between 7th and 14th Streets.

The Poetry Pavilion will feature 13 poets reading from their collections and discussing their work. The poets come from all over the country and represent diverse styles ranging from formal to free verse, from recognized masters to emerging artists. Special sessions will include poetry readings for children. Presentations begin at 10:00 am and continue through 5:00 pm (a schedule follows and bios are attached). The poets also will be available to sign books.

Arts Endowment Chairman Dana Gioia said, "At the most profound moments in our lives - at the birth of children, the wedding of soul mates, the death of loved ones - Americans turn to poetry to celebrate, remember, and mourn our beloved. It is very fitting for the National Endowment for the Arts to recognize the important role poetry plays in our culture and bring that literary richness to a national audience." Chairman Gioia, himself an award-winning poet of international renown, will host the Pavilion and read at 12:00.

The Poetry Pavilion is also sponsored by Nancy and Rich Kinder, Kinder Foundation. The Kinder Foundation is a family foundation that has been an active benefactor to numerous causes in Houston and elsewhere, with particular emphasis on youth and education.

The schedule for the Poetry Pavilion is:

10:00 – 10:25:

E. Ethelbert Miller

10:30 – 10:55:

B.H. Fairchild

11:00 – 11:45:

X.J. Kennedy

12:00 – 12:55:

Chairman Dana Gioia
David Lehman

1:00 – 1:25:

Larissa Szporluk

1:30 – 1:55:

Tami Haaland

2:00 – 2:25:

Kay Ryan

2:30 – 2:55:

Li-Young Lee

3:00 – 3:25:

David Mason

3:30 – 3:55:

Marilyn Nelson

4:00 – 4:25:

Rhina Espaillat

4:30 – 4:55:

Fred Chappell

Please see author biographies.

For more information, contact the NEA Office of Communications at 202-682-5570.

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