Residents walking along pathways in the south end of Nanaimo will have the chance to experience poetry in motion.
The City of Nanaimo's culture section and active transportation team, along with poet laureate Neil Surkan, are introducing a poetry trail, intended to "spark reflection and creativity outdoors," according to a city press release. Poetic cues have been placed along trails, urging people to formulate poems on certain themes.
"Each prompt is featured on a custom 'viewfinder' that frames the surrounding landscape, encouraging visitors to pause, reflect and poetize their experience in relation to a specific place," the press release stated.
A QR code on each installation links to an online form for sharing the responses, and selected submissions will be curated and shared by the poet laureate on public platforms.
In the press release, Adrienne Mercer Breen, city manager of culture and special events, said the trail is intended to allow for people to meditate.
"It highlights how arts and culture can be woven into our public spaces, inviting residents to engage both with their environment and with their own creativity," she said.
Surkan said he hopes passers-by feel invited to reflect.
"These prompt-focused installations stem from my belief that poetry exists for all there is to celebrate, for all there is to remember, and for all there is to change," he said in the press release.
Initially, installations will be found on the Queen Elizabeth Promenade, McGregor Park and Bing Kee Food Forest, with installations planned for the north end next year.
