Shab-e She’r March 2023 Report

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, Spring Equinox, & World Poetry Day

Arts/Convocation Hall, University of Alberta Campus

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Shab-e She’r Poetry Open Mic Nowruz edition on March 21, 2023, coincided with the first day of the New Year in the Persian calendar, Farvardin 1, the World Poetry Day. Iranian New Year starts with the Spring Equinox.

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In the words of Adriana Oni??, “World Poetry Day was extra special this year because of Shab-e She'r Open Mic (Nowruz Edition!) where some of the best poets in the world read and performed.”

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Much love to our participants for their support, courage, and kindness.

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I started the night with a ghazal by Hafez and read it in Persian and English translation by Henry Wilberforce Clarke.

Here are the people who read on the open mic:

1.???Lois Hammond

2.???Iman Mersal (Arabic)

3.???Hamna Shaikh

4.???Jean-Jacques

5.???Cala Jorgensen

6.???Shima Robinson

7.???Calypso

8.???Beli Sheikh

9.???Max Vandersteen (w Cree words)

10.??????????????????Shanna Lee (w French & Anishnaabemowin)

11.??????????????????Shannon Price

12.??????????????????Alice Major

13.??????????????????Jessica Zhang

14.??????????????????Trevor Hughes

15.??????????????????Daniel Poitras

16.??????????????????Meghan Eaker (w Cree words)

17.??????????????????Sheyann

18.??????????????????Adriana Oni?? (w Romanian words)

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And, I also shared a poem at the end.

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We had 34 people in the room, the highest audience number so far.

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Huge thanks to all who attended and everyone who spread the word to their network, including organizations, individuals, and professors who shared the information with students.

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Much love to Shab-e She’r team member, Farah Ayaad, for the poster, land acknowledgment, flowers, cookies, and photography.

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Mark your calendars for the last Shab-e She’r in Edmonton on April 25, 2023, the same venue.

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Join us and bring friends. Spread the word.

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See you,

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B?noo Zan

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Shab-e She’r Founder & Host

(Inception: 2012)

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Writer-in-Residence

University of Alberta

Department of English and Film Studies

Sept 2022-May 2023