What’s on this month at the Scottish Poetry Library

The God Damn Debut Slam

Scottish Poetry Library, 14 February, 7pm (£5) Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a night of slam poetry! The God Damn Debut Slam is the only poetry night where those taking part must perform brand new material. Combining open mic with a bill featuring only the best performance poets, The God Damn Debut Slam is Scotland’s freshest poetry event.

Nora Gomringer: Translation and Conversation

Scottish Poetry Library, 16 February, 1pm (£6) This promises to be a lively multimedia reading from one of Germany’s top poets and performers. Arguably the most significant poet of her generation in Germany, Nora Gomringer’s work appeared in English for the first time last year with the publication of her collection Hydra’s Heads. Join Gomringer as her first UK tour arrives in Edinburgh where she’ll read her work in English and German. She’ll be joined by her translator, Annie Rutherford, and together they’ll offer insights into poetry translation.

Lend Me Your Ears

Scottish Poetry Library, 21 February, 7pm (free) This event explores contemporary reading aloud practices and what they mean for how we understand, research, teach, use and celebrate reading in the 21st century. It will examine the findings of the project so far and, using spoken performances and discussion, consider relationships between the written and the performed. Forward Prize-winner Vahni Capildeo is taking part, as is Sam Duncan, senior lecturer in Adult Education and Literacies, University College London. n