National Poet’s Day

National Poet’s Day on August 21st may come as a surprise to some, but it serves as a reminder of the importance of poetry in human expression. In ancient times, poetry was used to tell stories of great historical events, express love, and mock enemies. Today, while we actively communicate through social networks and read many books, most of which are written in prose, we may forget the power of poetry.

History

It is not known who first came up with the idea of celebrating National Poet’s Day on August 21st, or whether the idea originated from poets themselves or their admirers.

Interesting Facts

1. National Poet’s Day is not the only poetry celebration in the world. In 1994, National Poetry Day was established in Great Britain and Ireland and takes place on the first (or sometimes second) Thursday of October, on the initiative of publisher William Sieghart.
2. In 1996, the Academy of American Poets established a long-term poetry festival called National Poetry Month, which takes place in April. Similarly, Canada also established National Poetry Month in April since 1998.
3. In 1999, UNESCO declared March 21 as World Poetry Day, and since 2000, National Poetry Day has also been established in October in the UK.

How to Take Part

• If you write poetry, you can compose a poem and publish it in a local publication or on your social media platforms.
• If you don’t write poetry, you can give it a try! Learn about versification and compose your first piece. Writing in rhyme is optional, as seen in Japanese haiku and tanka. Poetry can also be composed with the whole family; it’s a fun way to spend time and explore this beautiful form of art together.
• Poetry lovers can organize poetry parties and read their favorite poems.
• Share information about the holiday on your social media, tell the biography or interesting facts about your favorite poet, and share their poems.
• Discover a new contemporary poet, read their work and share it with others.

When is National Poet’s Day in 2024?

National Poet’s Day is observed on August 21 each year.

Observations