Scottish poets George Gunn, Aonghas MacNeacail and Janet Paisley will take part in a debate on the place of poetry in politics at this year’s Festival of Politics. This year’s festival includes a four-day programme of politics, music, art, theatre, literature and debate. The session, titled “What Place for Poetry in Politics?”, will be an opportunity to debate with some of Scotland’s most highly respected writers and poets, with the discussion focusing particularly on the place of poetry in contemporary politics, if it matters in today’s society and the impact of political poetry on influencing change.
Jean Urquhart, MSP for the Highlands and Islands region, will chair the session, she said:
“Writers and poets have always played an important part in recording our history and folk probably don’t always acknowledge that.
“A good example for the Scottish Parliament of course, was when Sheena Wellington sang, ‘A Man’s A Man’, Burns famous poem, at the official opening in 1999.
“But where stands the poet today? Are they revolutionaries? Can they influence us, should they influence us?
“A welcome awaits those who will come along, listen to and chew the fat with three of Scotland’s fine poets who have a great deal to say on the subject.”
The session, ‘What Place for Poetry in Politics’ will take place on 25 August at 15.30-16.30 in the Scottish Parliament and is free of charge.
Jean Urquhart 