Today is National Poetry Day, and there’s no better way to celebrate than to announce Nottingham’s first Young Poet Laureate...
Congratulations are in order for Georgina Wilding, who has bagged the title for 2017/18. The news comes at a very exciting time for Nottingham Poetry, with all this Capital of Culture stuff going on.
Born and bred in Nottingham, Georgina already has a lot under her literary belt. After completing her degree in Creative and Professional Writing at the University of Nottingham, she began her poetry career working with the Notts-based collective Mouthy Poets, and has been commissioned by organisations such as the BBC to write and perform for both TV and radio.
She is also the founding editor of Notts-based poetry publishing house, Mud Press, and has toured her poetry across the UK and Germany, most recently performing at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Blimey, she’s a busy gal.
And it seems as though she’s chuffed to bits with her new position. She said: “I am in absolute awe of the opportunity that’s been given to me. Both Nottingham and poetry are home to me, and I cannot wait to officially marry the two together for this prestigious role.”
Georgina’s current work in poetry has focused on gender and expression, but the next sixteen months will see her using her writing to help promote good owd Notts. She’ll be performing in public places, getting involved with cultural events, inspiring the next generation of poets by helping them find their voice, and all sorts.
The judging panel for the Nottingham YPL, which included London’s Young Poet Laureate and the founder of the Nottingham Poetry Festival, had a lot of nice things to say about this year's winner.
Director of Nottingham City of Literature, Sandeep Mahal, said: “Her poetry, performance presence and ambitions to use the power of poetry to change lives made an immediate impression on the judges. Georgina will play a fantastic role in promoting poetry to young people, and young people will love and be inspired by Georgina”.
As well as doing a shedload of writing, Georgina will be leading five residencies in venues across the city, including City Arts, Lakeside Arts Centre and Hyson Green Library. She will also be working internationally through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Her first official duty, however, will see her running a workshop at Hockley Hustle’s new kiddyie element, Young Hustlers.
Best of luck to you duck. You’re gonna smash it.
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