Buffalo State Hosts "100 Thousand Poets for Change"

On Saturday, September 24, the Buffalo State campus will reverberate with the collective energy of a global initiative, 100 Thousand Poets for Change.

Area poets and listeners will gather from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Rockwell Quad joining like-minded artists in 500 cities spread throughout 95 countries all using poetry to promote social and political change. In case of inclement weather, the readings will move to Bulger Communication Center, where the evening events will take place. Starting at 6:00 p.m., other artists, including gospel singers, rock musicians, and dancers, will join the poetry celebration. All performances should wrap up by 11:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

“There has been great enthusiasm. Many have committed,” said David Landrey, poet, associate professor emeritus of English, and committee chair for the Buffalo celebration.

With more than 600 individual events scheduled to take place simultaneously, the global gathering has been described as “the largest poetry reading in history.” Participating cities range from metropolitan destinations such as Paris, France, to strife-torn areas such as Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

Buffalo participants include Irene Sipos, lecturer in the College Writing Program; Susan Hutton, writer and event organizer; David Lampe, professor emeritus of English; Michael Basinski, poetry curator at the University at Buffalo; and Verneice Turner, writer and activist.

Each city’s planning committee had the opportunity to choose its own theme, and Buffalo chose “healing.” Canadian First Nations poet and playwright Daniel David Moses, who spoke on the healing modalities of poetry and art during a recent visit to Buffalo, inspired the theme.

“We’re the only venue with the theme of healing, but that is really what ‘poets for change’ is all about,” Landrey said.

Anyone can participate, reading their own original work or that of another author. The time limit is three minutes or less, so that everyone who wants to read can have a chance, said Landrey, who will serve as the master of ceremonies. Those who wish to participate may sign up in the Student Union Quad. Everyone is encouraged to bring a folding chair or blanket.

Throughout the day, participants will read the “Charter for Compassion,” which British author Karen Armstrong and South African activist Desmond Tutu developed in 2008. Printed copies also will be available.

“The basis for our emphasis on healing is Karen Armstrong’s ‘Charter for Compassion.’ It’s a beautiful piece of writing,” Landrey noted.

 “We don’t know if poets can send out vibrations about healing, but it can’t hurt.