As part of the Study Day at the Institute for Asian and African Studies at Humboldt University of Berlin, The Poetry Project led a workshop on the topic “Poetry as a Form of Expression.” The event was moderated by Noman Nory and Daria Py.
Following a brief introduction to The Poetry Project and an overview of the workshop structure, participants first engaged in discussion with one another: Who reads poetry? Who has written poetry themselves? What themes do they associate with the poetic form? And what role does poetry play in different countries and regions of Asia and Africa? This open exchange revealed the diverse ways in which poetry is approached—ranging from personal expression to political voice and aesthetic form.
A short bilingual reading by the poets marked the beginning of the practical segment. In the subsequent writing exercises, participants were invited to write spontaneously and without evaluation, developing their own poetic texts from initial notes—in a language of their choice. Some shared their texts or reflected on their impressions and experiences during the exercises. This was followed by a lively exchange on the different approaches, themes, and impressions, which brought the workshop to a close.
