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Reading From The Edge

In a vibrant celebration of life, diversity, language, and the enduring power of poetry, Poems from the Edge of Extinction, a timely new anthology passionately edited by the influential poet and UK National Poetry Librarian Chris McCabe, brings together for the first time 50 poems from every continent written in vulnerable and endangered languages and dialects.

This electrifying event will include readings from two award-winning poets featured in the collection: Navajo Nation Poet Laureate and Professor Emerita at Arizona State University, Laura Tohe, and Belarusian poet currently teaching at Cornell University, Valzhyna Mort, who will also read from her upcoming third book. Additional multi-media performances from poets around the world will be featured with live commentary and readings in English translation by McCabe. Chris McCabe will also perform some of his own widely-published poetry in his melodic Scouse dialect.

The event, in honor of UNESCOs 2019 International Year of Indigenous languages, will be in association with New Yorks Endangered Language Alliance featuring award-winning poet and founder, Bob Holman.

Poems from the Edge of Extinction offers a unique insight into both languages and poetry, taking the reader on an emotional, life-affirming journey into the cultures of these beautiful languages, celebrating our linguistic diversity and highlighting our commonalities and the fundamental role verbal art plays in human life.