The 5th London Poetry Festival Opens: Friday, 7th August

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Sharon Harriot, Munayem Mayenin and Kathleen Van Geete at the Festival 2009

The 5th London Poetry Festival 2009 opens with great atmosphere and enthusiasm on 7th August, Friday at Waterloo St John's Church in Waterloo at 7:30 PM.

Munayem Mayenin, the Festival Director, welcomes everyone at the Festival on behalf of the Festival Team including Claire Askew (who could not join the opening because her grandfather was taken seriously ill and needed surgeries) and Sharon Harriott (who could not attend the evening for family emergency) and invites everyone to enjoy and celebrate the power of words and dreams.

The evening is compered by London Poetry Festival's Poetry Poetry Youth Co-ordinator, young poet Kathleen Van Geete wonderfully.

At the Opening Session read four of the 5 Poets in Residence at this year's Festival: Aiko Harman, Bryan Oliver, Christian Ward, and Tony Fernandez. Rebecca Atherton could not attend the evening because of family bereavement. All of the Resident Poets put up a great performance. Tony Fernandez celebrated his 40th birthday at the Festival Opening! Happy 40th Tony!

After the break read at the Main Session that opens with Saahia Mayenin reading her own poem: Elewyn that has won the audience! Elewyn apparently is an animal she made up who goes to school in Jud and eats wonderful stuff including mud and he has five ears so he hears more than other animals. He eats great unbelievable stuff! Drinks too.

Sarah Wardle with her usual calm, brilliance and self assurance, Richard Deakin with his fiery political performance, Naomi Woddis with grace and charm, Rowena Knight with her light hearted and youthful charming way, Anna Lindup in her wonderfully moving and powerful voice, Laura Bartholomew with her quietly deep voice, Tricia Peak strong and to the point approach, Camila Fiori with her charm, confidence and depth, Kerri Ní Dochartaigh in her shy but beautifully open manner, JoAnne McKay in her exuberant and humours viewpoint , Hermione Fricker in her charming and confident self assurance.

Followed by Kathleen Van Geete, Cheryl Campbell, Dan Littauer, Susan Tepper, Miles Tepper.

The evening ended with beautiful Music from Doug Peters who provided a wonderful performance and thrilled the audience. The Festival Volunteers, particularly, Cheryl Campbell and Femi Shekete, were busy selling tickets and London Poetry Pearl and other goodies from all the performing poets and musicians.

The atmosphere was wonderful and everyone enjoyed a great evening.

James from the Church supported everyone wonderfully.

Well done goes to Kathleen Van Geete for holding the evening together beautifully.

The Festival continues.