New Poet Laureate announced for Plymouth
Plymouth has announced its first ever Poet Laureate to help raise the profile of important events and spark discussion about current topics affecting Plymouth people.
Michael Sullivan (nom de plume ‘Sullivan the Poet’) was recently appointed Poet Laureate by Plymouth City Council to act as a key voice in the city, tapping into public opinion and expressing popular views through poetry and creative writing.
He will hold the honorary position for one year, until it is passed on to another talented Plymouth writer through a competitive process. Mike will take up the challenge of developing the role with the help of Literature Works, a registered charity and Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, who nurture literature development activity in South West England.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of the Labour-led Council, announced Michael’s appointment in Cabinet. He said: “I’m delighted that Mike has accepted the challenge of becoming Plymouth’s Poet Laureate. He is a professional and published poet, who is passionate about the city and issues affecting Plymouth people. In accepting the role, he is taking on the challenge of developing it into a coveted and hotly contested position in the city.
“The value of this role will be in creating community conversations, as well as commenting on hot local and national topics, and promoting creative writing more widely. You need only look at the explosion of social networking to understand there is public appetite for sharing views about ongoing events. It’s a fantastic way to spark conversation and generate interest in local topics and events.”
Poet Laureate is an honorary role designed to act as a communicator of the public’s views. Typically they will comment on and respond to key events and occasions that might be seen as significant or having a particular impact on a community. They can become the conscience of the public as they are able to express a point of view creatively in a way that many are not necessarily able to do.
The Poet Laureate can also reflect on what makes the city tick – it may not always be comfortable but can be an important critical friend for crucial cultural decisions.
Plymouth already attracts a huge amount of interest in literature and creative writing and there was strong support for creating the position of Poet Laureate at the Open Space event in July this year. As Michael put forward the initial suggestion, he has been appointed to hold the title in year one and develop the role for the benefit of others.
The city already has a young Poet Laureate following a partnership between Literature Works and the Council. The position was first held by Allie Kerr, who has written and performed for Thanksgiving, the Lord Mayor’s carol services, the Plymouth History Festival and many more important occasions.
Literature Works also organises Plymouth’s International Book Festival, an event the Poet Laureate will be heavily involved with.
Mr Sullivan said: “I am both delighted and honoured to be Plymouth’s first ever Adult Poet Laureate; and look forward with relish to justifying the City’s faith in me and my abilities by rising to the challenges and achievements the next twelve months will surely bring...”
It is tradition to present a Poet Laureate with a barrel of Spanish sherry for accepting the role. However, in true Plymouth style, Michael will be awarded a presentation gift of Plymouth Gin, kindly donated by the world-renowned Plymouth-based company by the same name, by way of thanks from the city.
Take a look at some of Mike’s work on his website www.sullivanthepoet.co.uk
