Stanza Poetry Festival
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StAnza is a poetry festival that takes place annually in March in the university town of St Andrews, Scotland.[1] The Times newspaper referred to StAnza as "the country's leading poetry festival" in 2024.[2]
Described by The Guardian as a "flaming good poetry festival",[3] StAnza has run every year since its inception in 1998, barring 2020 when it was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] In 2021, StAnza ran as an online-only festival due to ongoing COVID restrictions,[5] and now continues to offer both in-person and online events as part of an ongoing hybrid programme.[6]
The festival uses as a hub the Byre Theatre in St Andrews, and regularly programmes events in other venues around the town.[7]
History
[edit]From 1998 to 2002, StAnza was held in October of each year. However, in 2003 the festival changed to a regular March fixture.[1]
In advance of the 2024 festival, a Moroccan poet who had been booked to perform was denied a visa by the Home Office.[8] Soukaina Habiballah was due to appear as part of "Resilient Voices: Celebrating Middle Eastern Women in the Arts", but was initially blocked entry to the UK, on the grounds that she could be considered a flight risk.[9] The Home Office revised their decision shortly before the festival, after coming under pressure from public figures.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "StAnza 2022 hailed a huge success by festival organisers". Creative Scotland. 13 March 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ Wade, Mike (6 March 2024). "StAnza festival organisers protest at visa ban on Moroccan poet". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ Johnstone, Brian (3 April 2007). "A flaming good poetry festival". Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ Article on tenth anniversary, Scottish Arts Council, UK.
- ^ Warrender, Claire (30 September 2020). "StAnza poetry festival going digital for 2021". The Courier. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ Smith, Craig (5 March 2021). "StAnza, Scotland's International Poetry Festival, goes online this weekend". The Courier.
- ^ Mansfield, Susan (11 March 2024). "Festival review: StAnza, various venues, St Andrews". The Scotsman.
- ^ Elliards, Xander (6 March 2024). "Soukaina Habiballah: Home Office denies visa for poet's Scottish visit".
- ^ Ferguson, Brian (6 March 2024). "Moroccan poet to perform at Scottish festival after Home Office visa climbdown". Fife Today.
- ^ Walker, James (6 March 2024). "Soukaina Habiballah: Home Office grant visa for poet's Scottish visit". The National. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
External links
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