The poetry festival will also feature art exhibitions, including screenprints by Ian Hamilton Finlay
This year’s StAnza has already had its ups and downs. The recent shock closure of the Byre Theatre in St Andrews (StAnza’s customary nerve centre) almost spelled disaster for the international poetry festival: with the announcement made just weeks before the event, time was short to find StAnza’s poets a new home.
But director Eleanor Livingstone’s make-do-and-mend approach has found some inventive new spaces ready to house 2013’s eclectic events. The Town Hall in Queens Gardens is the new hub and exhibition space, hosting screenprints by Ian Hamilton Finlay, poem-response sculptures, and dreamlike ‘Lace Sensor Dresses’ – embroidered couture that reacts to gestures from the wearer, triggering poetry recordings played through tiny speakers crocheted into the fabric.
The starry bill of poetry names includes Liz Lochhead, John Hegley, Luke Wright, John Burnside and Gillian Clarke, accompanied by new writers, spoken word collectives, slams, open mic sessions and poetry breakfasts. Thanks to an ‘edible poetry’ initiative, you can even grab a cupcakey couplet as you flit between events. The Byre’s future may be uncertain, but StAnza, at least, is thriving.
StAnza, various venues, St Andrews, Wed 6–Sun 10 Mar.