Join in an eco-poetry workshop on a canal cruise, exploring our unique interactions, meaning, value and connections to our waterways.
Presented by Sheffield Hallam University, in collaboration with the River Don Project and Opus Independents.
There'll be two cruises on the day:
10–11.30am: Family-friendly workshop led by Danaé Wellington, Poet Laureate of Sheffield
In many indigenous cultures across the world, the river has many names. For centuries, tales of gods and goddesses and mythical creatures of all kinds have inhabited the water. During this workshop, you'll be looking at four myths: the Celtic river goddess Danu, the Jamaican tale of the River Mumma and her golden table, the West-African Mami Wata and Yoruba river goddess Obba Nani. You'll look at what connects them, what they teach us about the land and water around us and ourselves and what they reveal about themselves through the flora and fauna. You will hear a reading of a newly commissioned poem by Harriet Tarlo, Professor of Ecopoetry and Poetics and have an opportunity to write your own myths and tales about the water and discover the magical worlds that live deep beneath them.
1–3pm: A workshop for people aged 15+ led by Harriet Tarlo, Professor of Ecopoetry and Poetics
During the afternoon workshop, you will be the first to hear a reading of a newly commissioned poem by Harriet Tarlo, Professor of Ecopoetry and Poetics, inspired by Sheffield’s historic waterways. The reading will be followed by a place-based, guided ecopoetic workshop, writing your own poetry focussing on the industrial and natural past, present and future of the canal landscape. Bring along any memories, photographs, or stories you have that are connected to the Sheffield waterways.
Ella Barrett, Community Curator, will join both cruises and share historical and present-day narratives from communities bordering the canal.
No prior writing experience is needed for the workshops. Everybody is welcome!
