As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of UNESCO’s World Poetry Day this 21st March, the Czech Embassy Manila champions poetry as a much-needed force for good in international affairs. In light of the recent terrorist attacks, general rise of movements tied to xenophobia, anti-semitism, Islamophobia, and anti-immigrant sentiment, the mission encourages Filipino poetry lovers and writers to engage in the Czech social media platform - POETIZER which can usher in this new role for poetry.
Poetry is often seen as a study of dead white men’s elitist thoughts on nearby flowers and pretty women, yet in line with this significant anniversary, people are encouraged to take a fresh look at poetry and its potential to become a powerful force in international affairs.
It’s heightened popularity and relevance is growing each year across the world as it has become an innovative and eloquent form of self-expression. Poetry has much to offer in today's increasingly divided world. It has the power to bridge gaps between people globally because it builds real connections based on our common human experiences, irrespective of nationality, social status, religion or political views. Keeping this in mind, here are a few reasons to take up writing poetry:
1. It's a powerful way to communicate
Poems, being typically short and rhythmic, are usually more accessible than other forms of writing. Meanwhile, each word, often agonized over, explains so much in such a short text. Research from the University of Exeter in 2013 even suggested that our brains may be “wired” to enjoy poetry, as it creates an emotional response in the brain similar to that of music. Therefore, poetry may be more powerful in spreading a message than other, longer forms of writing. While fascinating, it’s rare for a PhD thesis to go viral.
