{"id":19898,"date":"2023-12-16T21:11:53","date_gmt":"2023-12-16T21:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/?page_id=19898"},"modified":"2024-12-13T14:54:35","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T14:54:35","slug":"twin-cities-2023","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.obheal.ie\/blog\/twin-cities-exchanges\/twin-cities-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Twin Cities 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cork-Coventry Twin Cities Poetry Exchange<\/strong> <\/p>\n

August and November 2023<\/center><\/p>\n

[L-R] Devjani Bodepudi, John Watson, Cathal Holden and Rosalin Blue<\/font><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

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with photos and reviews<\/i><\/p>\n

from Coventry:<\/em> Devjani Bodepudi<\/b> and John Watson<\/b><\/p>\n

from Cork:<\/em> Cathal Holden<\/b> and Rosalin Blue<\/b><\/center><\/p>\n

In August 2023 \u00d3 Bh\u00e9al welcomed Coventry poets Devjani Bodepudi and John Watson for two readings at \u00d3 Bh\u00e9al and DeBarra’s Spoken Word as part of the twin cities exchange. Cathal Holden and Rosalin Blue represented Cork for a reciprocal visit and were hosted for two readings in Coventry during early November, also with a visit to the Lord Mayor, hosted by \u00d3 Bh\u00e9al’s partner Here Comes Everyone<\/a> \/ Fire & Dust<\/a>. Reviews, images and links from each poet follow.<\/font><\/p>\n

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Devjani Bodepudi<\/b><\/center>
\n<\/font>It\u2019s always a surreal experience to be acknowledged as a poet when most of your life, you\u2019ve identified as a simple cog in the wheel of domesticity, so when Raef Boylan and Emilie Lauren Jones told me that I\u2019d been chosen as one of the Coventry poets, with John Watson (top bloke and organiser of Kenilworth\u2019s PGR poetry night) I was a bit taken aback. So, here I was, a poet going to Cork with no idea what to expect, except that it would be an experience I would surely never forget. It did not disappoint.<\/font><\/p>\n

Monday 14th August<\/strong><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

Monday 14th August saw John and I almost missing our flight to Cork. Security confusion and long lines meant we reached the gate as it just closed. Luckily, they let us on and we were off, slightly sweaty but full of excitement. Upon landing, we were warmly greeted by Paul Casey who introduced us to Brendan Duffy, another top guy, musician and poet. We paused then, at the unique Myo Caf\u00e9 in the heart of Cork. The blue exterior beamed and the friendly staff served the best crumble dessert I\u2019ve ever had. That and the coffee was a much needed pick-me-up after our early morning adventures.<\/p>\n

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Next we headed to the Crawford Art Gallery where were wandered the rooms in contemplation of the all that had gone on before the Peace. It was a poignant reminder that violence will always stem from frustration and unrest. A timely parallel to all that is happening in Palestine now. War can never be taken lightly and yet the satirical renderings by artist, Rita Duffy of ordinary human experiences during the NI conflict were on full display, reminding us of our shared humanity. We left feeling humbled and lucky to have the peace and poetry we have now.<\/p>\n

After this, Brendan took us to see the Ogham Stones at the University of Cork Campus displaying very early examples of Celtic writing, and again we were awestruck. A theme that was set to continue throughout the trip. But by this time, we were tired after such an early start.<\/p>\n

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Eventually we found our way back to the B&B and tried to rest before the evening. For me, I was buzzing. The \u2018rest\u2019 wouldn\u2019t come. I was full of excitement for the evening with no idea what to expect. <\/font>\"\"<\/font>By the time we headed out for dinner and had tried the famous Beamish, we were eager for the night. Patiently though, we meandered through the City Centre, contemplated the river, saw herons on the bank and marvelled at the gigantic murals that met us along the way. We were indeed, a world away from Coventry.<\/p>\n

Finally we arrived at the Long Valley bar which soon began to fill. There, we met Rosalin Blue and Cathal Holden, our counterparts for the exchange. We chatted and got to know one another while Paul finished setting up. By then, more and more poets had arrived and the upstairs room was packed full of wordsmiths and musicians ready to share.<\/p>\n

<\/font>\"\"<\/font> The night flew by with poets on Zoom as well as in person. Our reception was warm and encouraging with music and poetry that was both funny and thought-provoking. Our sets were well received and although the night could have ended there, there was more to come. We all headed out to another bar where we drank some more and talked well into the night. Alas, I am not as young as I once was and so John and I headed back to the B&B a little earlier than everyone else. At 1 am the party continued without us but we had peaceful dreams of poetry and good vibes.<\/font><\/p>\n

Tuesday 15th August<\/strong><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/font>\"\"<\/font><\/font>\"\"<\/font><\/font>This day promised to be even more eventful than the day before. We started the morning with a delicious breakfast at the B&B and then a walk into town to meet the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy. Paul and Brendan met us there where we were treated to a warm beverage and enlightening chat about Cork and its history. The unexpected highlight was being able to perform a highly political poem in the beautiful Council building. Afterwards we took a stroll through the English Market, found some amazing street art and had a filling lunch before quickly heading into the wonderful Vibes and Scribes Bookshop (not to be confused with the Vibes and Scribes crafting shop a little further away!)<\/p>\n

Then it was onto the next leg of the journey where we met Rosalin, Cathal and some other wonderful poets and were driven through winding roads and luscious countrysides to Clonakilty. There\u2019s that old clich\u00e9 about embracing the journey and we had no choice but to take it all in with sparkling eyes. <\/p>\n

Our first stop on our way to old \u2018Clon\u2019 as it\u2019s sometimes called, was the famous Drombeg Stone Circle or The Druid\u2019s Altar<\/a>. It was here that I really found a sense of Ireland and Cork that might have been easy to miss. As well as all the poetry and music, there was magic. There was no shying away from it on this journey. Here, poets professed to be druids and in touch with their own nature in a way that\u2019s been lost and derided by many, and to me, this was oddly freeing. We touched the stones, we walked through them and beyond, resting on hills and looking over to the horizon towards the sea. In all the rush and travel, this was a moment of real rest and possibly one of the most profound moments of the whole experience. It was with some reluctance but a sense of anticipation that we left Drombeg for the beach.<\/font>\"\"<\/font><\/font><\/font>\"\"<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

At the beach, fish and chips were the order of the day. We ate, talked, met new friends in the form of Afric and Michael and their wonderful dog. I collected stones and then tried hurling. I have to say, I think I could be a pro with a bit of practise, such was my optimism. And although there was the threat earlier, of a swim, it never went that far; it was too windy and we were content to climb the rocks instead and risk damp sand in our shoes. The time soon came however to head to the celebrated DeBarras Folk bar where we were promised another night of poetry.<\/font><\/p>\n