March 21, World Poetry Day: supporting linguistic diversity

Every poem is unique but each reflects the universal in human experience, the aspiration for creativity that crosses all boundaries and borders, of time as well as space, in the constant affirmation of humanity as a single family.

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO

Poetry reaffirms our common humanity by revealing to us that individuals, everywhere in the world, share the same questions and feelings. Poetry is the mainstay of oral tradition and, over centuries, can communicate the innermost values of diverse cultures. In celebrating World Poetry Day, March 21, UNESCO recognizes the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind. One of the main objectives of the Day is to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities.

The observance of World Poetry Day is also means to encourage a return to the oral tradition of poetry recitals, to promote the teaching of poetry, to restore a dialogue between poetry and the other arts, and to support small publishers and create an attractive image of poetry in the media.

For all these reasons the Etxepare Basque Institute joins the celebration of the International Day of Poetry, and is also participating in the organization of Transpoesie, an event created by the European Union National Institutes for Culture  EUNIC, in order to ensure the presence of Basque poetry in this significant international project.

Every poem is unique but each reflects the universal in human experience, the aspiration for creativity that crosses all boundaries and borders, of time as well as space, in the constant affirmation of humanity as a single family.

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO

Poetry reaffirms our common humanity by revealing to us that individuals, everywhere in the world, share the same questions and feelings. Poetry is the mainstay of oral tradition and, over centuries, can communicate the innermost values of diverse cultures. In celebrating World Poetry Day, March 21, UNESCO recognizes the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind. One of the main objectives of the Day is to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities.

The observance of World Poetry Day is also means to encourage a return to the oral tradition of poetry recitals, to promote the teaching of poetry, to restore a dialogue between poetry and the other arts, and to support small publishers and create an attractive image of poetry in the media.

For all these reasons the Etxepare Basque Institute joins the celebration of the International Day of Poetry, and is also participating in the organization of Transpoesie,an event created by the European Union National Institutes for Culture  EUNIC, in order to ensure the presence of Basque poetry in this significant international project.