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Poetry Olympian

The Poetry Parnassus festival is a global gathering of poets due to take place at London's Southbank Centre from 26 June to 1 July 2012 as part of this year's Cultural Olympiad and the London 2012 celebrations. Selected out of reportedly more than 6,000 nominations/recommendations, 204 poets will participate in the festival - each representing an Olympic nation.

The list of confirmed poets was published last week, and I can announce that I accepted an invitation to take part as the representative of Cyprus.

The invitation came a few months ago, rather unexpectedly. It's a unique opportunity to meet and get to know the work of a great array of poets. And I view the invitation, considering the calibre and record of some of the other poets involved, as a significant and fortifying mark of recognition.

I look forward to it!

The full programme of readings and events is yet to be finalised; in fact, representatives for some countries are still to be confirmed - nominations can be made here.

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