Local poet David O’Meara reads at VERSeFest.
by Stephen Thirlwall
Ottawa hosts a wide stream of arts and cultural festivals every year. VERSeFest has been part of the scene since 2011. But I had no idea!
Ottawa is like this — you often hear about events only after they happen. And when you do hear, it may take a few years before you pay attention and realize their significance. This happened to me with VERSeFest, Ottawa’s exceptional poetry festival. If it had not been for a large ad in the March issue of The BUZZ, my opportunity to attend would have been delayed for at least another year.
VERSeFest opened at City Hall on March 23. It continued March 26 to 31 at Knox Presbyterian Church on Elgin Street at Lisgar.
The first day’s events, with poetry in both English and French, were all free. During the week, the prices for single sessions or passes were very reasonable, making the programs very accessible to the public. Each session ran for about one and a half hours, during which a series of authors gave a few remarks and then presented poetry readings.
The poets came from various countries and diverse backgrounds, leading to a wide range of poems.
VERSeFest is all about different forms of poetic expression, from the pastoral and romantic, to slam and protest, to flights of imagination and moments of calm reflection.
As well as the audio aspect of the program, there was a visual arts display entitled “Concrete is porous.” In it, drawings, prints, photographs and multimedia were used to play with words, letters, and images to create visual poems.
In the bookstore at the back, you could purchase books and be able to read the poems over and over in your own voice.
Albert Dumont, a well-known indigenous poet, was the very first presenter. He spoke about his life and the experience of many indigenous peoples — residential school, discrimination, low self esteem, poor jobs, and accidents. In spite of this, his spirit still soars with hope.
Dumont spoke of an accident, falling 45 feet from construction scaffolding on to hard ground. In the instant of falling, he decided that he would survive if he landed on his feet. This happened, although he broke his back and, seemingly permanently, damaged one arm. He was so strong in his belief in recovery that he did recover in time. He read poems about this, as well as about periods of his early life spent in the forest.
A reading in French by Gilles Latour.
The other poets in this session also took the audience on explorations of memory. Blaine Marchand spoke about memories of Afghanistan, in which poetry is highly respected, and Pakistan, which is chaotic and colourful. Sarah MacDonnell wrote poems about grandparents and outdated technologies. In contrast, Gilles Latour read eight poems in French to accompany eight preludes for piano by a French composer.
Personal memories are a common element for many of the poets throughout the festival. In the Thursday session of poets, all involved with ARC Poetry Magazine, local and national award winner David O’Meara recited several 14-line poems all entitled “Autobiography.” O’Meara has done a lot of mentoring young poets, but he sees this as a dialogue between equals, not one of master and student.
Doyali Islam reading.
Doyali Islam also encourages others to write through visiting with groups of school children. Her poems spoke of astrology, memorable places (including Glebe restaurant Jericho), and personal family and love relationships (some of which were very strained). She explores ruptures and resilience in our lives.
Jenny Haysom’s readings were about homes, moving to new homes and the many feelings that underlie our lives in these settings. Her first poem dealt with the previous owner of her house in Old Ottawa South, who came back every night for a month or so and parked his car a short distance away from the house. He could not easily leave the neighbourhood and house.
These are just a few glimpses of the poets and poetry presented.
The first session of the festival ended with an organizer’s comment, “The train has left the station,” indicating the festival is now underway and in motion. Hopefully this also means it will continue to grow as well.