Fair

Tribute to poet Ken Smith
Ken Smith has been described as "our Diogenes", a visionary, skeptic, romantic realist, wordsmith, hunter gatherer, maverick, humanitarian and one of the most important English poets writing today with one of the best radio voices ever.
He published over 20 collections of poems, the last being new and collected works, "Shed", published by Bloodaxe Books in 2002 and spanning 20 years' work. Additionally, he wrote two major non-fiction works, "Inside Time", about his work as writer in residence at Wormwood Scrubs Prison, and "Berlin:Coming In From The Cold", described as the best book ever written on the Berlin Wall. He co-edited, with Judi Benson, "Klaonica: Poems for Bosnia", proceeds of which went to Feed the Children in 1993. Also, with Matthew Sweeney, he co-edited "Bedlam" an anthology of surviver's poetry. In 1997 he was the recipient of a Lannan Foundation Award for his "life's work".
Ken lived and taught in America for 5 years. Latterly, his interest turned to Eastern Europe. He travelled extensively to such places as: Berlin, Hungary, Slovenia, the Ukraine, Russia, Colombia, Macedonia, America, Sarajevo, Prague, Vienna, Spain, Italy, and lastly Cuba where he contracted Legionnaires Disease.
He died 6 months later from complications resulting from the disease. From his travels he created a series of radio poems which were broadcast on BBC Radio 3, produced by Tim Dee. An extraordinary man of great observation, he influenced several generations of young poets and was much respected by fellow poets, though kept himself out of the mainstream. His work has been translated into numerous languages including Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, Bosnian, Hungarian etc.
Admission: Ł3
Bring your own bottle of refreshment.
Poets reading from his work will include: Agneta Falk, Jack Hirschman, Tom Pickard, Sean O'Brien, John Hartley Williams and a mystery guest or two.
There will also be a recording of Ken reading "My Father Fading Out", a BBC Radio 3 programme produced by Tim Dee who will introduce the piece.
Music by : Roger Leach on fiddle and Mandy Murray on squeezebox.
The event will also be in conjunction with a Bloodaxe Books publication - "You Again" - featuring Ken's last poems, interviews, tributes, photos etc.
Contact: editor@bloodaxebooks.demon.co.uk
or judi_benson2001@yahoo.com
Video on YouTube
Related articles
-
Fourth Jára Cimrman play to be performed in English by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV
The Act was the first of the dry comedies by the Czech writer who never really existed
-
Moravský Krumlov may get Slav Epic back by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: wikimedia)
A proposed five-year loan depends on the chateau meeting climate standards
-
DOX celebrates 10 years by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: prague.eu)
The art center in Holešovice will be open for free with special events
-
Final coffin nail for the Blob? by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV
The new City Hall administration is likely to stop a feasibility study
-
Arthur Jafa at the Rudolfinum by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: galerierudolfinum.cz)
Videos, photos and objects offer insight into not only the black experience
-
Slavic Epic’s location back in play by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: Prague.eu)
City Hall is re-examining where to put the Art Nouveau paintings
-
PSC hosts concert and one-man shows by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV
Composer Patrick Doyle conducts his soundtracks and two actors give their insights
-
Plácido Domingo celebrates Mozart's birthday by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: Radovan Šubín)
The opera star is back in Prague to conduct an evening of Mozart’s arias and duets
-
Czech Icons - Before They Were Famous by Tami Saxman - Anglo American University (Foto: Galerie hlavního města Prahy)
Eyes in 1967 runs until February 3,
2019 at the Prague City Gallery -
PSC presents A Christmas Carol by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV
Actor Neil McGarry performs the classic a one-man show
Facebook comments
Our meat and products straight to your table
Nannies, housekeepers, hostess and more...
Sushi for You newsletter - Sign up Now! Always something...
Fast and reliable internet connection in Prague!
Trabant Museum @ STK Motol
Armádní muzeum Žižkov
Národní památník hrdinů heydrichiády
Goout.cz Tickets for Cultural Events in Prague

Prague’s # 1 source for Czech news in English…

Expat and Czech Business Professional Network

German Language Info Service

New English-language online magazine for Brno...

捷 目 is the first-ever Chinese language online newspaper...