World Poetry Melbourne

World Poetry was established in Melbourne in 2004 under the auspices of Multicultural Arts Victoria to help create a more inclusive literary scene.

Even though there is increasing "multiculturalism" of Australian society and a growing community interest in the arts of other cultures, including Australia's indigenous cultures, scant attention has been given to literature composed in languages other than English.

In 2005, World Poetry's major objective was to launch "In Other Words", a festival of poetry in translation. The festival served not only as a showcase, but also generated literary engagement and new opportunities among writers, readers, translators, audiences, publishers, and academics. World Poetry, in other words, started a process which led to literatures composed in languages other than English being accepted as part of Australia's mainstream literature.

With that ideal as its driving force World Poetry has, in addition to the main festival in August 2005, generated a series of umbrella events which have provided and continue to provide opportunities for many of the poets who could not be featured in the festival to gain audience exposure. This is a two-way street, of course, for it will also enable audiences to become familiar with the rich poetic traditions and contemporary developments in poetry of the cultures around us.

For more information or to get involved with World Poetry, please contact Lella Cariddi on clementina@pacific.net.au.