Heritage Open Days 2019 - Heritage Haiku

Since the start of this summer, the Places of Poetry project has seen writers from across the country creating new poems of place, heritage and identity, and pinning them to a digital map. Organised by the University of Exeter’s Andrew McRae and the poet Paul Farley from Lancaster University, Places of Poetry aimed to prompt reflection on national and cultural identities in England and Wales, and celebrate the diversity, heritage and character of place. There were a number of residences at heritage sites across the country, where poets ran workshops to encourage as many people as possible to explore poetry.

The residencies may have finished but the project is continuing to promote poetry and encourage people to write about the places that inspire them by linking up with Exeter Heritage Open Days, which is part of a national festival bringing together more than 2,000 organisations, 5,000 events and 40,000 volunteers.

Every year in September, places all over the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history and it is all free. A perfect fit for Places of Poetry. Poet Sara-Jane Arbury will be at various locations in Exeter, helping people to write a haiku, which for those who aren't sure is a short poem, only three lines, made up of no more than 17 syllables. Once written, don't forget to pin it to the Places of Poetry map and share on Social Media #placesofpoetry #heritagehaiku.                                 

Dates, times and locations below:

Sat 21 Sep 11am-1pm: RAMM - the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, Queen St, Exeter, EX4 3RX

Sat 21 Sep 2pm-4pm: Devon and Exeter Institution, 7 Cathedral Close, Exeter, EX1 1EZ

Sun 22 Sep 11am-1pm: Custom House Visitor Centre, 46 The Quay, Exeter, EX2 4AN

Sun 22 Sep 2pm-4pm: St Nicholas Priory, Mint Lane, Exeter, EX4 3BL