Govanhill bookshop launches new poetry by Harry Josephine Giles

By Jessica Reid

‘Poetry is not a luxury’ reads the sticker on the poetry shelf in Category Is Books. Tonight they’re launching new poetry collection The Games by Harry Josephine Giles. So if poetry isn’t a luxury, what is it?

Giles opens with ‘Thing-Prayer’, in which they repeat the word ‘thing’ so many times it starts sounding more like a strange noise than a word – to deliciously hypnotising effect. This is the pleasure of Giles’ poetry; they make the familiar unfamiliar with their sideways look at the world.

The Games, explains Giles, is so-called because that is what it contains – games, spells and plays. Yet this is play with a purpose – to imagine a fairer future. Giles expresses regret that they are good at writing poetry as opposed to organising revolutions. In Abolish the Police they reflect that, ‘The poem is only a world:/here it is, I only pass you the world/without police.’ It may or may not be about to start a revolution but Giles’ poetry does provide us with the space to imagine alternative worlds.

Another definition of poetry comes from the support act, Etzali Hernández, whose impassioned yet precise ten-minute set includes two poems in their first language of Spanish. Etzali explains that initially they wondered if performing in their own language would be self-indulgent, before deciding that, ‘It isn’t self-indulgent to be myself.’

So what is poetry? Poetry is play, poetry is imagining new worlds and poetry is the freedom to be yourself.

The Games by Harry Josephine Giles is available for £8.99 from Category Is Books at 34 Allison Street, Glasgow, G42 8NN.

Photo Credit Category IS Bookshop. 

Fun For all the Family at GCDT Halloween Party

Lots of fun was had at GCDT Family learning party, held by Esol/family learning tutor Loraine McHendry  with support from Noreen Campbell at Glasgow Life.

The was held at Daisy Street neighbourhood centre on Monday 29th October, and over 20 children dressed in Halloween costumes took part in the festivities.

Children Working hard to create their own scary monsters!

There was a Spooky interactive story, after which the children created their own scary monster! Parents took part in a face painting workshop and the children in game of bobbin apples.

Face-paint Fun

The event finished with a huge treasure hunt for sweets and treats around the neighbourhood centre garden.

The party was just part of our wider community events program, which is in place all year round.

Save the Date! Big Noise Christmas Concert Dates Confirmed.

Big Noise have confirmed that their Christmas Concerts will be held on the 5th and 6th of December at Elim Church on Inglefield Street in Govanhill.

On the 5th of December B Orchestra, the United Orchestra and the Concert Band will perform from 4-5pm.

On the 6th of December C Orchestra, D Orchestra and the Wind Band will perform from 4-5pm.

Everyone is welcome to join in the celebration of everything the Big Noise children have learned so far, as the young musicians show off their musical talents.

All of the concerts are free of charge, and a sure-fire way to get into the festive spirit.