Simon Armitage and Hanan Issa event in Hawarden

Two internationally famous poets will give readings at an independent library in Flintshire.

British Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, and Hanan Issa, the National Poet of Wales, will perform at Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden on March 23.

Tickets are free, though the library team ask guests to consider a donation to Gladstone's Library, which is a registered charity, at the point of booking.

Each spring, Mr Armitage travels to libraries across the UK in alphabetical order as part of an ongoing libraries tour.

Gladstone’s Library has been selected as one of his stops during the ‘G’ section of the tour.

Mr Armitage said: “My experience of reading and writing began in the village library.

“For many people they are an invaluable aspect of everyday life, giving access not just to books but to services, learning, conversation and creative thinking. I want to pay my respects to these unique institutions.

“By planning readings up to a decade in advance I’m being optimistic about the future of our libraries, and challenging those authorities who would consider closing them down.

“At a time when libraries are under threat and have been out of bounds during the pandemic, reading from inside their physical structures feels like an act of solidarity –  with books, with poetry, and with communities.”

Simon Armitage has published more than 30 books of poetry, novels, non-fiction works and drama over a career that has so far spanned four decades. One of his most recent works was Tribute, a trio of commemorative poems published following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Hanan Issa is a Welsh-Iraqi poet and writer based in Cardiff. Her publications include her poetry collection My Body Can House Two Hearts and Welsh Plural: Essays on the Future of Wales. She was the recipient of the 2020 Ffilm Cymru/ BBC Wales commission for her short film The Golden Apple. She is also the Hay International Fellow. 

Dr Louisa Yates, Director of Collections and Research, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Hanan and Simon to Gladstone’s Library.

“We have always been champions of poetry, so having the opportunity to introduce two internationally acclaimed poets to our Reading Rooms and host them here is a real pleasure.

“As this is a free event, we are hoping this will bring the library to the attention of people who would not ordinarily think Gladstone's Library is a place for them – as it absolutely is. 

“Gladstone’s Library is an independent charity, and we are proud to be involved with Simon Armitage’s library tour, which is showcasing the sheer diversity and value of library offerings, both public and independent, across the UK.” 

This event takes place at 2pm to 3pm in the Gladstone’s Library Reading Rooms.

Tickets are free aside from a 1p token payment. Attendees are invited to donate to the library, which is a registered charity and relies on public support, when securing their ticket.

Booking is essential. The advisory age is 15+.

Find tickets online at:

https://www.gladstoneslibrary.org/events/events-courses-list 

...from 10am on January 20.