Simon Armitage - Laureate's Library Tour | The Hive

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Simon Armitage, the Poet Laureate, will be embarking on a new leg of his ten-year tour of the UK's libraries. This spring, he will be giving readings at various libraries across the country, from big cities to rural and remote areas, to celebrate the importance of libraries as institutions. As part of the H - K Libraries leg of his Library Tour, Armitage will be performing at The Hive in Worcester on Saturday, 9th March 2024. Joining him will be Amelie Simon, Worcestershire's Young Poet Laureate. Armitage's personal connection to libraries and his belief in their value to communities have inspired him to plan these readings years in advance, demonstrating his optimism for the future of libraries and his opposition to any closures. By reading from inside the physical structures of libraries, he aims to show solidarity with books, poetry, and communities, especially considering the challenges faced during the pandemic. Armitage, a highly acclaimed poet, has received numerous awards and prizes, including the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry and the PEN Prize for Translation. He has published several poetry collections, translated medieval works, and written novels and non-fiction bestsellers. As a broadcaster, Armitage presents the popular BBC Radio 4 series "The Poet Laureate has Gone to his Shed" and has received an Ivor Novello Award for his songwriting. His play, "Hansel and Gretel: A Nightmare in Eight Scenes," was performed at Shakespeare's Globe. Currently holding the position of Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds, Armitage's lectures as Oxford Professor of Poetry have been compiled in the book "A Vertical Art." His upcoming book, "Blossomise," is set to be released in April.