National Poetry Day is an annual celebration of poetry held in the United Kingdom on the first Thursday of October. This year, National Poetry Day in the UK will be celebrated on October 3. The day was founded in 1994 by William Sieghart and is managed by the Forward Arts Foundation. National Poetry Day is a special day dedicated to poetry that aims to encourage people of all ages to discover, read, write, and share poetry, while also promoting its cultural and emotional importance. Each year, National Poetry Day is celebrated with great fervour which inspires poets, and communities to engage with poetry. From World’s Longest Poem to 'Haiku', Here Are 10 Interesting Facts About Poetry That Will Blow Your Mind. 

William Sieghart had said, "There are millions of talented poets out there and it's about time they got some recognition for their work. They shouldn’t be embarrassed about reading their work out aloud. I want people to read poetry on the bus on their way to work, in the street, in school and in the pub." With this idea, the National Poetry Day was established in 1994.

National Poetry Day 2024 Date and Theme

National Poetry Day 2024 will be celebrated on Thursday, October 3. Every year, a specific theme is decided to celebrate the day. National Poetry Day 2024 theme is "counting."

National Poetry Day Significance

National Poetry Day holds great significance for poetry lovers as the day highlights poetry's power to express emotions, tell stories, and connect people across cultures. On this day, events range from poetry recitations and workshops to stage performances in schools, colleges and other educational institutions.

Schools and libraries across the UK participate by organising poetry readings, competitions, and discussions on famous poets and their works. Since 1994, the day has engaged millions of people across the country with live events, classroom activities and broadcasts.

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