#13 coming event at The Tree House

Helen Moffett

Telling truth slant: poetry as creative non-fiction

Poetry is usually taught as a form of fiction, but many say that it is in fact a form of creative non-fiction. How do we use poetry as a form of truth-telling? Telling truths that would otherwise be too hard to bear? Telling truth to power? Taking facts and reforming them into small pieces of art/creativity? I'll read poems (both by myself and other writers, including Wally Mongane Serote, Chris van Wyk and Finuala Dowling) that explore memoir and memory, and address those hard facts of life, the inevitability of grief and the persistence of injustice.

 Venue: The Tree House at Temenos

Friday 28 August / 8.00pm / The Tree House at Temenos / 50 min / R50.00

book your ticket here

Book your tickets easily on our 2015 Programme page

Now you can book your tickets easily on our 2015 Programme page, scroll the page and have a look at our events and click over "book your ticket here" to go directly on the specific event page on Computicket. We do our best to make your McGregor Poetry Festival experience unforgettable. 

Videopoetry: Spazio

POET

Alda Merini

Spazio

Spazio spazio io voglio, tanto spazio 

per dolcissima muovermi ferita;

voglio spazio per cantare crescere 

errare e saltare il fosso 

della divina sapienza. 

Spazio datemi spazio 

ch'io lanci un urlo inumano, 

quell'urlo di silenzio negli anni 

che ho toccato con mano.

Space

Space space I want lots of space 

To wounded  gently move. 

I want space to sing, grow

Err and leap over the ditch 

of divine wisdom 

Space give me space 

that an inhuman cry I may give 

That cry of silence in the years 

On which my hand I laid.

Spasie

Spasie spasie soek ek baie spasie 

om gewond saggies te beweeg 

ek soek spasie om te sing te groei

af te dwaal en te spring oor die sloot 

van goddelike wysheid.

Spasie gee my spasie 

om ‘n onmenslike kreet te uiter

die kreet van stilte in die jare

waarop ek my hand gelê het.

#2 coming event at Tebaldi's Restaurant

At table with C Louis Leipoldt

Throughout his life, C Louis Leipoldt was fascinated by the preparation of food – from his youth in Clanwilliam and the Cedarberg in the 1880’s to his death in Cape Town in 1947. As a wine lover too, each glass of wine was a living thing, to be approved or condemned by his

discriminating palate.

Come and enjoy a 4 course menu of his favourite recipes and savour the delightful and adventurous approach this celebrated poet took to his culinary passion.

Thursday 27 August / 7.00pm / Tebaldi’s / R210.00pp (includes a glass of complimentary Muscadel) / Direct bookings: 023 625 1871 (40 pax)

#11 coming event at The Well

Ansa Smit: 

Unspoken: Singing soul-tongue aloud.

Come! Come in and take your seat at the fireside. Let us warm up our ears and unravel our hearts. These words - crumbs carefully scattered for the famished and full. Come drink in the music – come feast on sound.

Venue: The Well at Temenos

Friday 28 August / 5.00pm / The Well at Temenos / 50 min / R50.00

book your tickets here

Poetry Competition 2015

Are you a budding poet?

Have you ever thought of writing poetry?

Would you like to see your poetry published?

be part of our

POETRY COMPETITION 2015

see all details on the 2015 Poetry Competition page

Videopoetry: Playing cat and mouse

POET

Iona Van Der Westhuyzen

#7 coming event at D'Amphitheater

Hester van der Walt en Suenel Bruwer-Holloway:

"Whence/Waar vandaan"

A bilingual warp and weft of two lives. What wove the rich fabric of what we are today?


Venue: D’Amphitheater at Poena

Friday 28 August / 3.30pm / D’Amphitheater at Poena / 50 min / R50.00

book your ticket here

Time for a “Bunting Work Party”!

Thank you to the happy band of ladies who spent the morning measuring, cutting and stitching the bunting for the next Poetry Festival. The count-down has begun……

Videopoetry: Mindful

Mindful

Every day

I see or hear

something

that more or less

kills me 

with delight,

that leaves me

like a needle

in the haystack

of light.

It is what I was born for -

to look, to listen,

to lose myself

inside this soft world -

to instruct myself

over and over

in joy,

and acclamation.

Nor am I talking

about the exceptional,

the fearful, the dreadful,

the very extravagant -

but of the ordinary,

the common, the very drab,

the daily presentations.

Oh, good scholar,

I say to myself,

how can you help

but grow wise

with such teachings

as these -

the untrimmable light

of the world,

the ocean's shine,

the prayers that are made

out of grass?

POET

MARY OLIVER

Reservoir Blog July 2015 edition

Winter is in full swing here in our sleepy village. Although the days are still mostly beautifully warm, the nights come in with a vengeance. No signs of the first frost yet, and no sprinkling of snow on the Sonderend mountains. But it will come, you can bet on it.

We said farewell to one of the old timers in the village last week. Ray Gregory died at 85, in his own bed in The House on The Hill. Ray had been unwell for a number of years and was ready to join his late wife Audrey. He was one of the characters of the village. He could be cantankerous, and was not averse to being blunt, but he was a generous soul at heart, and a widely read man. He and I shared an interest in music, and spent many hours talking about and listening to both Gaelic music and the Blues. His Scots heritage was clearly evident in his love of Celtic music, and he used to play a special recording he had of the bagpipes on his outside speakers- loud enough for the whole village to hear. He loved the old Scots ballads, and loved Robbie Burns. RIP, good friend. We shall miss you. This is for you.

O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I:
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun:
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee well, my only Luve
And fare thee well, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile.

Robbie Burns

Be careful out there


David

The "fringe programme" is out!

Have a look at The McGregor Poetry Festival ‘De Akker’ Programme: 27 – 30 August 2015

Download your printable daily Programme and see you at the Festival !

Five reasons to be at the McGregor Poetry Festival

The 3rd edition of The McGregor Poetry Festival takes place from the 27thto the 30 of August in the picturesque town of McGregor in the Western Cape. Here are five reasons why you just should NOT miss this very special event.

1. The Poetry

The festival is the only one of its kind in South Africa- dedicated to the ancient form of poetry. South Africa’s top poets mingle with up and coming stars to create a special mix. Listen to the great Antjie Krog, and discover also the special new talent of Ansa Smit. Over 50 poets descend on the village to showcase the best of what’s around.

2. The Place

McGregor is a special place. Tucked in a valley south west of Robertson, with no through road, you are enveloped by the best of mountain scenery. The village has a special collection of old homes that will delight even the most jaded palate. Surrounded by vineyards, there is a special mystique to the village, which you readily experience when you arrive. 

3. The People

The village is populated by a diverse and eccentric mix. Artists rub shoulders with artisans. Farmers enjoy a glass of wine with the philosophers. Plumbers are happy to break bread with the poets. The village brass band marches jauntily up the main street. Over the weekend of the festival, a happy band of poetry lovers embrace the village in their happy arms. The people are special here.

4. The Passion

Poetry is about passion, and over the weekend you will see plenty of it. You will be moved to tears and roused to anger. You will laugh and love. You will experience the passion of the poets and revel in it.

5. The Pleasure

At the end of your stay you will know that you have had a wonderful time in magical McGregor. Relish that pleasure!

Quick Info: 

Venue – McGregor , Western Cape, South Africa

Date – 27 to 30 August, 2015

Tickets available through Computicket

Videopoetry: Praying

Praying 

It doesn’t have to be

the blue iris, it could be

weeds in a vacant lot, or a few

small stones; just

pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try

to make them elaborate, this isn’t

a contest but the doorway


into thanks, and a silence in which

another voice may speak.

POET

Mary Oliver

In praise of a sunset sea

in chest high tide,

facing seaward,
palms spread wide,
he raises the oars of his arms.
droplets trickle off them
in a splash of musical notes.

an evangelist of the waves,
he blesses the ginger sun,
slicing the clouds,
spicing the mountains
across the bay.
it sets on a lemongrass sea
adorned with hidden beings.

the yoga moon
full as a mantra,
golden as the roof
of a Tibetan temple
that clings to a cliff,
rises to illuminate the
shadows on his back.

gannets fly the sky
as the earth migrates.
the notes of this man’s song
soars with them, then stills
as the raked waves
become a Zen kelp garden
of a day’s end delight.

From: McGregor Poetry Anthology 2013

Published by African Sun Press in association with the McGregor Poetry Festival
ISBN number 978-0-620-62302-5


The Poet:

Dorian Haarhoff (1944- ) is a poet, story-teller and mentor, passionate about imaging innate creativity. He believes in the power of metaphor to create new ways of being. A former Professor of English, he has participated at Poetry Africa, SA and at a Poetry Festival in Colombia, South America. He has written seven volumes (Poemegranites the most recent) and recorded a poetry CD. His wordshops are based on his text The Writer’s Voice.