BOOKS list.co.uk/books
STANZA Poetry by the sea
T his year’s StAnza has already had its ups and downs. The recent shock closure of the Byre Theatre in St Andrews (StAnza’s customary nerve centre) almost spelled disaster for the international poetry festival: with the announcement made just weeks before the event, time was short to find StAnza’s poets a new home.
But director Eleanor Livingstone’s make- do-and-mend approach has found some inventive new spaces ready to house 2013’s eclectic events. The Town Hall in Queens Gardens is the new hub and exhibition space, hosting screenprints by Ian Hamilton Finlay, poem-response sculptures, and dreamlike ‘Lace Sensor Dresses’ – embroidered couture
42 THE LIST 21 Feb–21 Mar 2013
that reacts to gestures from the wearer, triggering poetry recordings played through tiny speakers crocheted into the fabric. The starry bill of poetry names includes Liz Lochhead, John Hegley, Luke Wright, John Burnside and Gillian Clarke, accompanied by new writers, spoken word collectives, slams, open mic sessions and poetry breakfasts. Thanks to an ‘edible poetry’ initiative, you can even grab a cupcakey couplet as you flit between events. The Byre’s future may be uncertain, but StAnza, at least, is thriving. (Charlotte Runcie)
StAnza, various venues, St Andrews, Wed 6–Sun 10 Mar. stanzapoetry.org
HITLIST THE BEST BOOKS & LIT EVENTS
✽ Literary Death Match Four writers (RA Martens, Zoe Venditozzi, George
Anderson, Andrew Ferguson), three judges, two rounds of readings, one epic (bizarre) finale. Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Tue 12 Mar.
✽ StAnza Join Scotland’s finest poets for five packed days of literary events. See preview, left. Various venues, St. Andrews, Wed 6–Sun 10 Mar.
✽ Luke Wright The popular Edinburgh Fringe regular hits us with his debut poetry
collection Mondeo Man and makes a couple of appearances at StAnza to boot. See review, page 43. Town Hall, St Andrews, Sat 9 & Sun 10 Mar. Penned in the Margins.
✽ Maggie O’Farrell Fans of After You’d
Gone and The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox will love O’Farrell’s latest, about an Irish family in crisis in the legendary heatwave of 1976. See review, page 43. Waterstones West End, Edinburgh, Thu 7 Mar; Waterstones Argyle Street, Glasgow, Tue 12 Mar. Tinder Press.
✽ International Women’s Day There are literary events going on around the country
celebrating IWD 2013 – see listings for full details. Various venues nationwide, Fri 8 Mar.
✽ Jon Ronson Charmingly nerdy and
always entertaining, Ronson discusses his investigative journalism collection, Lost at Sea. Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 12 Mar.