In September, Coventry Poet Laureate, Emilie Lauren Jones, took part in a poetry exchange visit to the city of Dresden.
Dresden and Coventry were twinned in 1956, after both cities experienced the devasting effect of heavy bombing during the Second World War. Dresden currently has a population of 556,227 and is the capital city of the German state of Saxony. It lies on the broad basin of the River Elbe, near the border with Czechia. Dresden has a rich and fascinating history including a king with an incredible passion for porcelain, the creation of milk chocolate, and a long association with the arts.
Emilie’s visit included running a workshop session with a local writer’s group, visiting a local school, and performances and talks at a number of venues, including an international friendship group and the German-British Society. Emilie was able to meet other artists and key individuals as well as attending the annual multicultural Gastmahl Festival and headlining Dresden’s bi-monthly Story Slam.
During her visit to local school, Hans-Erlwein-Gymnasium, the Year 12 students presented Emilie with a five-foot copy of a poem they had written in response to Emilie’s poetic film ‘On These Streets We Shine’ (Sky Arts 2022)! The incredibly talented students also wrote and performed poems celebrating their individuality.
When she wasn’t attending events, Emilie was treated to various tours to learn about the history and culture of this wonderful city.
The purpose of the trip was to continue to cement the friendship between Dresden and Coventry, and to create new and meaningful connections between organisations and individuals across the two cities.
In October, Emilie is taking part in an exchange of letters with Dresden’s ‘City Writer’ Katharina Bendixen, which will be published online later this year. Emilie will also be writing plenty of poems about her experiences of Dresden!
Emilie would like to thank CAIF (Coventry Association for International Friendship), Dresden City Council, Coventry’s Lord Mayor and the many organisations and individuals in Dresden and Coventry who supported this visit and continue to support the ongoing activities associated with the poetry exchange.