Poetry Unites

Poetry Unites consists of a series of five-minute films shown on TV, the Internet and in cinemas, in which a poetry lover speaks about his or her life in the context of presenting a favorite poem.

This project with a literary dimension reveals both similarities and differences between people. By offering intimate insights into the mind of another person, it contributes to mutual understanding among European citizens. The films bring together millions of people who would otherwise probably never have had contact with each other and therefore would never have seen how much they have in common.

Initial broadcasts began in February 2006 on Polish National Television, and each had an average
of 2 million viewers. Since then, the public broadcasting company has presented a series of 45 films on Polish, French and Israeli poetry lovers (6 to 94 years of age) reading their favorite poem.

In September 2008 the Evens Foundation launched the first nationwide Poetry Unites contest open to all school children in Poland. The competition had the patronage of the Minister of Education Katarzyna Hall, and the five winners were included in the series in 2009.  

In September 2009 the Evens Foundation launched the second nationwide Poetry Unites contest in Poland, again under the patronage of Polish Minister of Education, Katarzyna Hall. The contest's concluding gala took place on June 16th 2010 at the Polish Filmmakers Association's theater, Kultura, in Warsaw, in the presence of the Representative of the Flemish Government to Poland, Koen Haverbeke, and the Representative of the Ministry of Education, Alina Sarnecka, among others.

The five winners were selected from among 152 entries by a jury including Adam Zagajewski (chairman), poet and professor at the University of Chicago, Janusz Głowacki, writer and playwright, Maria Kotowska, educator, Jacek Mierosławski, cameraman, and Ewa Zadrzynska of Evens Foundation.

The winners are: Beniamin Bukowski (18, Rzeszow), Anna Dobosz (18, Gorzow Wielkopolski), Magdalena Hudyma (16, Jaslo), Bartek Mikuła (12, Szczecin), and Maria Wilczek (14, Warsaw). The main award was a participation in the Evens Foundation program "Poetry Unites - My Favorite Poem", broadcast on the Polish Public TV every Saturday morning. The winners received also a year subscription of "Zeszyty Literackie", one of the most prestigious literary magazines in Poland.

The logo of the contest symbolizes the integrating force of poetry. It is an image of Peter Paul Rubens' illustration taken from the famous Polish baroque poet, Rev. M.K. Sarbiewski's collection of poems, which was published by a Flemish publishing house in Antwerp in 1632. "The contest's logo itself might be proof that poetry has been uniting people for many, many years", said Koen Haverbeke in his speech.

Poetry Unites is initiated and coordinated by the Evens Foundation in Poland. For more information: ewa@evensfoundation.be

The 2009 contest winners:
1. Katarzyna Aleksandrowicz (17 years) from Grudziądz:
2. Julka Baranowska (12 years) from Elbląg:
3. Krzysztof Korn (20 years) from Pabianice:
4. Maria Łuczak (13 years) from Torun:
5. Magdalena Podlaszewska (13 years) from Rakowiec:

You can view many other Poetry Unites clips on www.googlevideo.com!