Belper library to play host to Poet Laureate’s national tour
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage is to visit our newest library as part of his national A to Z Libraries Tour.
The idea of the tour is to work through the alphabet and visit libraries representing each letter. At these venues he will give readings from his work and be joined by local poets.
Libraries in areas beginning with A and B were encouraged to invite Simon to visit on his tour and our invitation was accepted for Belper to represent a place beginning with B.
Originally planned for last year, the tour was postponed because of COVID-19 and this year’s event will be live streamed rather than in front of a live audience.
Simon will be joined by special guest the award-winning poet Helen Mort, who is the former Derbyshire Poet Laureate. They will both be reading some of their poetry and sharing with the online audience the inspiration behind their work.
Acting Head of Libraries and Heritage, Michelle Parker, said: “Hosting the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage on his national tour is a real coup and it’s a double bonus to have our former Derbyshire Poet Laureate there as well. Whilst we would of course prefer it to be a live event we are delighted that it can go ahead. We are continuing to provide a diverse range of events and activities at our libraries across the county within the current restrictions and look forward to resuming a full service when possible”.
Simon Armitage said: “My tour celebrates libraries which give so much to our local communities – be those communities big and urban or rural and remote. Libraries have given me so much as well and this is a way of saying thank you. I am looking forward to my visit to Belper as part of this tour”.
The free event is suitable for ages 11 and over, and takes place on Monday 26 April 2021 from 4pm to 5pm. Belper Library will close early that day at 1pm to allow for the event to take place following COVID regulations.
Bookings are now open and can be made by visiting Laureate's Library Tour - Belper Library - Crowdcast.
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