Feature: TEN POETS FROM INDIA AND WALES Are A Part Of An Exchange

Exploring cultures through the medium of art is one of the most fascinating ways to know a new place and its unique habitudes.

Keeping in mind the philosophy of enriching our cultural spaces, poets from two continents are stringing together their creativity.

Ten poets from India and Wales are taking part in an exchange organized by Literature Across Frontiers and partners in India as part of the UK India Year of Culture.

The project is aimed at exploring each other's home location and creating new work in six languages during a series of residencies in both countries. Alternating between the hustle and bustle of Indian metropolises and the peace and quiet of Welsh towns and rural locations, the project literally spans the two countries from Thiruvananthapuram in South Kerala to Shillong in the North-East, and from Bangor in North Wales to Swansea on the south coast.

In January and February 2018, the poets are touring literary festivals across India, with performances, debates and workshops at Bhubaneswar Literary Meet, the Brahmaputra Literary Festival in Guwahati, The Hindu Lit for Life Festival in Chennai, Hyderabad Literary Festival, Jaipur Literary Festival, and Jaipur Book Mark, Kolkata Literary Meet and at higher education institutions in Delhi.

Alexandra Buchler, Director of Literature Across Frontiers, said: "We are thrilled to bring together ten talented poets from India and Wales to visit each other's home locations and collaborate on producing new work reflecting their perspectives on historical and contemporary relations between the two countries, and their own creative relationships formed through intensive exploration of the theme of independence in the broadest sense. The project is a culmination of almost a decade of exchanges with India's rich and varied literary scene, and will no doubt lead to further cooperation in the future, apart from leaving a legacy of publications, documented performances, and most importantly, ever stronger creative links."

Poetry Connections 2018 India tour:

24nd - 25th Jan Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet - KALAM

27th - 28th Jan Hyderabad Literary Festival

26th - 28th Jan Zee Jaipur Literary Festival

30th Jan 6 - 7pm Apeejay Oxford Bookstore N-81, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001

31st Jan 4:30 - 6pm Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication, Sri Aurobindo Society Campus, Adhichini, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110017

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