New poetry project launches across Norfolk libraries to celebrate Norfolk as a county of welcome

Norfolk Library and Information Service has teamed up with Creative Arts East on a multi-lingual Words of Welcome Poetry Exchange, launching this month in all 47 libraries across the county. The project aims to celebrate Norfolk's cultural diversity and showcase it as a place of welcome, by inviting library visitors to read specially commissioned poems on the themes of welcome and sanctuary, and respond with their own 'words of welcome'. 

National Centre for Writing have selected and commissioned acclaimed poets George Szirtes and Marjorie Lotfi to write two original poems. These have been translated into Arabic, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese and Ukrainian - some of the most widely-spoken languages in Norfolk. Beautifully designed postcards with these poems and their translations can be found in each of Norfolk's 47 libraries, for visitors to read and take home. 

Library visitors are invited to respond to these poems on blank postcards with their own words of welcome and post them in the collection boxes provided. Whether it's a poem, short anecdote, simple reflection or even a picture, any contributions will be added to a growing collection that celebrates Norfolk as a place of inclusivity, belonging, and community. 

Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships at Norfolk County Council, said: "Norfolk libraries have always been a place of sanctuary for local people and migrant communities. Along with many places in the county, they are an established safe and welcoming place, and we hope being involved in this project helps to spread that message to our multi-cultural community." 

For more information, including access to the poems, translations, audio recordings in all six languages, biographies of the poets and full project details, visit the Creative Arts East website.