Capital Poet

Cardiff’s 2005 Capital Poet is Announced

Wales’ first Capital Poet has been announced by Cardiff Council and the Academi. Gillian Clarke, has been given the job of using poetry to comment on, celebrate and commemorate Cardiff’s 2005 celebrations.

Gillian Clarke was born and educated in Cardiff, and has raised her own family in the City. She says “Cardiff is my city. I belong to it and it belongs to me. The old Cardiff formed me, but I am excited by the new Cardiff too. There’s a change, a buzz, but beneath the new, sophisticated city lie the ghosts of the old Cardiff. I am delighted to be chosen to help record Cardiff’s momentous year.”

The role of the poet will include accompanying the Lord Mayor to public events, such as the Mayoral change–over in May and recording and reporting on events and news as it arises. Gillian will also work with the public in schools and communities to get them  writing.

The position is funded by Cardiff Council through the 2005 Cultural Programme. It is  supported by the National Lottery,  and run by Academi, the National Literature Promotion Agency based at the new Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. The Council and Academi hope that Gillian’s appointment will bring poetry into the lives of Cardiff residents in celebration of its anniversary year.

Peter Finch, Chief Executive of the Academi, says:
“Academi is delighted at the appointment of Gillian Clarke as Wales’ first Capital Poet. As the Capital Poet would act as an ambassador for Cardiff and our literatures, it is wonderful to have someone of Gillian’s stature to do this job.  And as an experienced workshop leader, she will be an inspiration to hundreds of Cardiffians keen to start writing to celebrate their city’s centenary.” 

Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Jacqui Gasson, said: “I am very pleased that Gillian Clarke has been chosen as the Capital Poet. She will capture the excitement of this crucial year for Cardiff and will encourage others to try to put their feelings about their city into words.”   

The Capital Poet is funded by Cardiff City and County Council as part of the 2005 Cultural Programme, supported by the National Lottery.