World Poetry Day – 21 March – History & Importance of This Day

World Poetry Day takes place every year to promote the teaching of poetry, as well as publishing, writing and reading poetry from around the world. In 1999, 21st March was officially declared by UNESCO as World Poetry Day and the purpose of celebrating this day was to support the growth of linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard. They also stated that World Poetry Day was about giving fresh impetus and recognition to regional, national and international poetry movements.

This is a day to inspire and educate future generations and also to give poets around the world recognition for their contribution to the art of poetry. World Poetry Day revives the practice of poetry recitals and poetry writing to promote poetry as a form of art that connects people to their humanity. Poetry can gain insights into the ideas and feelings of a particular time and can also be used to create awareness towards injustice taking place in society. There are many classic poems written by Indian poets before India attained independence that has opened the eyes of many.

Poems has the potential to transform thoughts and imagination of poets into words that would invoke emotion and feelings of the reader. Every year this special day is celebrated in schools, libraries, organisations and publishers all around the world by teaching about poets, different styles of poetry and different classic poems written by famous poets. People host gatherings to honour poets and also conduct various poetry writing competition to motivate kids.

The brain operates on poetry in a very similar way as music through the beat, rhythm, through links and associations to the brain poetry is music. Poetry is an important part to understand the depths of a language, widen the limits of literature and helps the endangered languages to be heard.