MONASTEREVIN, 1 August: by Grace Halford. Once again Monasterevin opened its doors to a host of visitors for the festivities of the 14th Gerard Manley Hopkins International Summer Festival. As promised, this year was one of the festival's most successful.
The programme of events kicked off with the highly colourful and entertaining South African Praise poet of Nelson Mandela, Zolani Mkiva (left), performing in the full regalia of his tribe and praising Monastrevin for hosting the Hopkins School.
The annual event was one of the most international to date with participation from no fewer than 24 countries. Poets giving readings included Roger McGough (UK) well known author of Lily the Pink, Thomas Tidholm, one of Sweden’s best-known writers and many other distinguished guests including Alain Suled (France), Erwin Einzinger (Austria), Heleno Sinorvo (Finland), Anately Kudriavitski (Russia) and Desmond Egan (Ireland).
The lectures featured a star-studded guest list including Joseph Feeney (USA), Uwe Broker (Germany), Richard Corbaills (New Zealand) and Kunlo Shimane (Japan). He also told KNN that this was the first time they were privileged to have internationally renowned Professor Hu Yunhuan lecture at the school.
As Hopkins was also a musician, the school also held several special musical events including a classical concert in Moore Abbey featuring Russian Tenor, Alexander Naoumenko.
The School, which is the branchild of Newbridge poet Des Egan (left) also received huge acclaim this year when it was voted 'Best Literary Festival in Ireland' by the Oxford Guide to Literary Festivals. The organisation said it was the best possible commendation that it could receive and looked forward to hosting an even bigger event next year.
©2001gracehalford/knn