FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
April 14, 2010

Cary to Host International Poetry Festival
Workshop, competition draws local and international writers to area

CARY, NC – Organized in honor of the distinguished Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet by the American Turkish Association of North Carolina, the Town of Cary is proud to host the Second Annual Nazim Hikmet Poetry Festival on Sunday, April 18, at 1 p.m. at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop. This free Festival will include a poetry workshop, keynote address and poetry readings by the winners of the 2010 Poetry Competition and guest poets.

“The goal of this event is to celebrate the beauty of poetry while honoring the late Nazim Hikmet, who is regarded as one of the most influential poets of the Twentieth Century,” said Rob Garner, Cultural Arts Program Specialist with the Town of Cary. “The American Turkish Association of North Carolina is interested in making this an annual event in Cary, and we believe this unique literary event will spark the interest of writers within our community and beyond.”

The Nazim Hikmet Poetry Festival kicks off at 1 p.m. with a free poetry workshop led by Christopher Salerno, Cary citizen and published poet and author. Participants will work with a general prompt to draft a poem based on various techniques while also exploring the spirit of Nazim. The workshop is appropriate for ages 16 and up and all writing levels are welcome. Following the workshop, keynote speaker and Brown University Professor Mutlu Konuk Blasing will welcome festival guests and introduce the 2010 Poetry Competition winners, who will each share their winning work. A light reception will follow. Reservations for the poetry workshop are appreciated.

For more information, visit the Nazim Hikmet Poetry Festival Web site or call (919) 460-4963.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: 
Rob Garner, Cultural Arts Program Specialist, (919) 462-3963
Deanna Boone, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 462-3908
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951