Weekend Deviation – A Night of Poetry in Suzhou

Popped out to Suzhou for a couple of days last week to give a talk. Rather pleasantly that evening there was also a group of visiting poets from all over the place visiting too as part of the Suzhou Bookworm International Literary Festival. The poetry lovers of Suzhou turned out for some late night readings and drinking (who knew poets stayed up till 4.30am!!) led by Scott Ezell, a poet, songwriter, author and artist (below). Scott is a much travelled man having spent time in China and elsewhere in Asia.

Poets are a collegial bunch I’ve found and Scott roped in two other poets visiting Suzhou – Scottish poet Liz Niven and American slam poet Steve Connell – to read his poems which he then sang. An interesting combination as much of Liz’s work is in Scots and Steve’s is rather more energetic usually.

The crowd certainly enjoyed it all as an unexpected cultural treat on a Tuesday night in Suzhou. Well done to the Bookworm for organising something different yet again for Suzhou.

And, by the way, if you’re in Chengdu tonight (Saturday) you can catch Steve Connell doing a solo show at the Chengdu Bookworm