Two widely acclaimed US poets bring passion and enlightenment to An Tuireann on the 22nd of March 2005. Tickets for the evening are £6.00, £3.00 concessions; admission includes a light buffet from 7 pm onwards.

This is the first poetry live event that An Tuireann is presenting in partnership with Stanza: Scotland’s Poetry Festival. Both poets come from the USA: Jane Hirshfield lives in California in her small white cottage with views of fruit trees, old roses and Mt Tamalpais; Eva Salzman lives in London but grew up in Brooklyn and Long Island. This specially arranged event promises to appeal not just to poetry enthusiasts but to all kinds of readers across a wide age range.

Jane Hirshfield is widely published in the USA where her poetry is cherished by both adults and children. She is being published for the first time in Britain with her book Each Happiness Ringed by Lions. Her poetry covers a range of influences: from Greek, Chinese and Japanese to Eastern European, filtered through a spiritual sensitivity and interest in Zen Buddhism. She has taught at the University of California, Berkeley, and has held many distinguished residency positions as well as receiving fellowships from the Guggenheim and Rockefeller foundations, the National Endowment of the Arts, and the Academy of American Poets.

Eva Salzman’s most recent book is Double Crossing: New and Selected Poems 1994. She has caught the attention of writers and readers with her vigorous poetry.  The diversity of her writing includes the essential ingredients of love and passion, memory and a sense of self.  She has substantial teaching and educational experience including co-devising the Start Writing poetry course at the Open University. She is currently a Fellow at the University of Warwick 2004-5. All her books have been Poetry Book Society Recommendations or Special Recommendations. Her writing is frequently featured on BBC TV and Radio.

Both poets have been published by Bloodaxe Books who have been supportive in providing material for this event. This is a great opportunity to hear the voice of poetry first hand, Stateside.

For further information contact Katherine Macleod, Education Officer, 01478 613 306  education@antuireann.org.uk