Launch of poetry anthology inspired by John Paul II

An anthology of poetry inspired by Blessed John Paul II, is to be launched on his feast day this Saturday, 22 October. All the contributors are young Catholic and Christian poets. Many belong to Catholic arts group The Bard School, which explores creativity through performance and workshops.
 
Heartspeak, a Contemplative Chorus, edited by Piotr Stolarski, will go on sale at the Bardfair, a celebration to be held at St Mary of the Angel’s Church, in Moorhouse Road, London WC2 at 6pm beginning with Mass.

The BardFair is an initiative of the Bard School which embodies the ethos of John Paul II's letter to artists, training artists to embrace their vocation to the arts in a bold, prophetic and dynamic way. This BardFair, the first of its kind, aims to introduce Christian artists, evangelists, social activists, clients and commissioners of art and artistic resources to each other, in order to kindle new imaginative business relationships for the good of all.

The Bardfair begins with Mass, at 6pm, including music from Bard School musicians, and a homily by Father Dominic White OP, (who has just completed an MA in Theology of the Arts) and is the director of Cosmos, a stunning choreography, with Christic cosmological themes. Sarah de Nordwall will also be launching her new performances and workshops for pastoral contexts called Poetry Opens the World', which offer an opportunity to community leaders, youth workers and teachers to inspire their groups with imaginative stories and poems and creative and reflective exercises, leading to contemplation and action.

Other artists and singer songwriters will be sharing their wares, include singer reJoyce, who arrived on the boat from Cork this week, and painter Jane Radford. Wilderness Rose offers unique "designs to dream with" whilst Alice Heans and Dan Cote ask "Whose song does Culture sing", with their interesting stall comparing the lyrics of the most popular pop songs with ideas from the Holy Father's encyclicals. Quite an eye opener.

Come and have your hope restored and celebrate a true vision of the arts, which as Edmund Adamus stated, when reflecting on the Bard School and the Bard Fair "is truly emblematic of the authentic interpretation of the new Evangelisation".

Wine, food and performances will be on offer in the Back Room in the Presbytery from 7pm onwards, with Performances at 7.30pm We then move to the large room for the Bard Fairat 8pm till 9.30pm. All welcome. All free!

For more information contact Bard School founder Sarah de Nordwall on 07849 641 899 and read www.thebardschool.blogspot.com and for her poetry. check out her blog www.sarahdenordwall.blogspot.com