The International Writers Magazine:Poetry Event in London in June

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Pushkin in Britain – Pure Russian Spirit with English Translation (June 5th-10th in London) I often check listings of forthcoming Festivals abroad published in the press and… always happily recycle the paper. I love festivals. However tempting it is to squeeze holidays into a weekend package of travel and entertainment, this year I am not going to rush outside Britain, wasting time, money and contributing to increase of carbon dioxide emission. I am among of those 37% of population who, according to statistics, are choosing local holidays and events. Look no further.

This year the International Festival of Poetry and Arts comes to London in June.
I would love everyone to know about the Festival! (and not only because of its connections with Russia, my birth country)
The Festival is a wonderful and exciting Literature occasion literally packed with interesting events – readings, competitions, workshops and, of course, inspiration. This year the Festival celebrates its 6th anniversary.
The Festival was founded in 2003 by a group of enthusiasts led by a famous Russian poet Oleg Borushko, who came up with an idea of using a line from Pushkin’s poem as the first line for poetry competition entries.

Even though Aleksander Pushkin, the greatest Russian 19th century poet, never visited England, his spirit lives in the Festival, which brings the heart beat of Russia in the heart of London. Thus the Festival is called "Pushkin in Britain". It is dedicated to promoting Russian Literature abroad.

Each year the Festival grows. Since 2003 poets from 39 countries have participated in the Poetry Tournament. The Festival boasts an extensive multi-event programme (please find this year’s schedule below) and is well covered in the press around the world.

The competition is open to all Russian speaking poets and writers living outside Russia. Many recognised masters and emerging talents, from all over the world gather each year in London to take part in this well recognised competition.
Originally the main focus of the Festival was on poetry. From last year the Festival organisers, because of popular demands, also introduced a short story competition. This year the competing poets are offered to complete a verse starting from "London called for your attention. Your glance…" from Pushkin’s poem "To The Grandee". Poets also submit 9 more poems of their choice. Writers are given to use Puskin’s plan of the unfinished novel "Dubrovski" – Widow, Englishman, Meeting, Gamblers, Policeman, Conclusion – for a 500 words short story of any style. What’s a huge scope for creativity!

The main prize is a fine art bust of A. Pushkin created by a famous Ukrainian sculptor Klim Stepanov.

When last year a good friend of mine invited me to the Festival, I, to be honest, joined her mostly out of a curiosity; and to be completely honest – with a slight feel of a pity for what could have been a routine weekend on a sofa in front of a television…

I enjoyed the every minute spent at the Festival. It was truly spectacular, exceeding all expectations.
I was amazed that the audience was given a chance to vote for the election of the King/Queen of Poets and Writers along side the distinguished Moscow jury. "Me? To vote?" I was surprised; it is a great responsibility to measure something that comes from the bottom of one’s heart and soul, like music, like art, like affection…

I tried hard to be objective and, to my surprise, my votes matched with that of the distinguished jury’s. Even though the competing authors were reading their poems in Russian, English translations of all Literature compositions were provided on the screen. The evening finished with a warm informal conversation among the audience, contestants and the jury at a Russia style buffet.

This year I invite all my friends to visit the Festival, this is a worthwhile must see event for those who are interested in Poetry, Arts and Russian culture.
http://pushkininbritain.com/PROGRAMME
THURSDAY JUNE 5TH

WHERE IS IT HAPPENING?
PROGRAMME
THURSDAY JUNE 5TH
PUSHKIN HOUSE, 5A BLOOMSBURY SQ, HOLBORN Tube
"Pushkin and Western Europe" Exhibition in conjunction with the Russian Centre for
International Scientific & Cultural Cooperation 5th – 12th June
16.00 Opening speeches
17.00 – 19.00 Poetry Tournament 2008 Finalists recite poems

ADMISSION: FREEFRIDAY JUNE 6TH
Details by Invitation only
"Pushkin & Britain" panel discussion in conjunction with the Russian Centre for
International Scientific & Cultural Cooperation
09.30 Opening, reports and discussions
12.00 Lunch
13.00 – 15.30 Report and discussions continued
ADMISSION: Invitation only
COVENT GARDEN, WEST PIAZZA
Outdoor Russian Poetry Evening
18.00 Official speeches
18.30 Russian poetry with English translations on screen

ADMISSION: FREESATURDAY JUNE 7TH
ST. GILES-IN-THE-FIELDS CHURCH, 60 ST GILES HIGH STREET, TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD Tube
2nd International Short Story Tournament
11.30 Doors open
12.00 Opening. 10 finalists compete in front of jury and public
13.30 Voting ballots collection. Jury draw decisions. Break
14.00 Awards ceremony

ADMISSION: FREE
6th International Poetry Tournament - Festival’s focal event
15 finalists compete for the "King of Poets" title in front of jury and public
17.00 Doors open
17.30 Opening. First round
18.15 Second Round
19.00 Voting ballot collections. Jury draw decisions.
19.30 Awards ceremony
20.00 Private after-party in church gardens.
ADMISSION: FREE

SUNDAY JUNE 8TH
PUSHKIN HOUSE, 5A BLOOMSBURY SQ, HOLBORN Tube
Tournament highlights. Press-conference
11.00 – 13.00 Finalists & journalists vs. the Great Jury
Siberian Poetry for London
14.00 – 16.00 Poets from Tomsk present modern Siberian poetry to the London public English translations on screen.
Jury master-classes
17.00 – 20.00 Participants split into groups, jury talk about writing skills.
ADMISSION: FREE

TUESDAY JUNE 10TH
Details by Invitation only
Film lecture "Kapitanskaya Dochka" - "Captain’s Daughter", Director Yuriy Tarich, (1928)
10.00 Film viewing and lecture by Mr V. Matizen – Chairman of Guild of film critics of Russian Federation
12.00 Film discussions, debate
13.00- 14.30 "Pushkin in "Britain" history film
ADMISSION: Invitation only
RUSSIAN EMBASSY, KENSINGTON PALACE GARDENS
Official closing of "Pushkin in Britain 2008"
18.30 Drinks reception. Presentation of new project – "Pushkin in Britain, Shakespeare in Moscow: two great poet alleys". Tournament winners recite poems.
ADMISSION: Invitation only
BOAT CRUISE ALONG THAMES, WESTMINSTER PIER, WESTMINSTER Tube
Poetry Impromptu & Parody Contests, after-party
21.30 Boarding at Westminster Pier
22.00 Departure
22.30 Poetry Impromptu Contest
23.30 Parody Contest
24.30 Awards
01.00 Poetry disco
02.00 Arrival at Westminster Pier
ADMISSION: £25

© Natalya Popova May 10th 2008
ferganavalley@hotmail.co.uk

Oleg Borushko, the chairman of the Festival with the winners of the Poetry Tournament 2007 – Bah Ahmedov (Uzbekistan), Marina Ignatieva (Spain), Andrey Galamaga (Switzerland)

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