LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD: International Poetry Forum closes
After a brilliant 43-year run, the International Poetry Forum is closing. Back in April, Samuel Hazo, founder of the Forum, cited the effects of the economic downturn, and on a forward-looking note, talked of his new work and things undone out ahead.
Hazo, an extraordinary poet in his own right, brought us the very best poets for a long, long time. The archive of poets’ voices is a national treasure, and I understand that it will remain available.
The Forum has been the most impressive venue in the Appalachian region for poets of national and international acclaim.
I heard many of the stars of poetry there: Maxine Kumin. Stephen Spender. Richard Hugo. Muriel Rukeyser. William Matthews read there. Richard Wilbur. W.H. Auden. John Berryman. Edward Kamau Brathwaite. Lucille Clifton won the Charity Randall Citation from the International Poetry Forum. Terrance Hayes. It’s a considerable lineup. Other performers with another kind of star power appeared there too: James Earl Jones. Princess Grace of Monaco. Gregory Peck. George Grizzard. Julie Harris.
May the International Poetry Forum rise again. It’s said to have cost about $200,000 a year to keep the Forum going with its amazing list of performances and receptions.
David Conrad, a member of the board of directors, was quoted by Rege Behe in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: “We’re going to revive the IPF. It’ll happen. I promise.”
Click on the replica of the Forum’s home page, and listen to some of the voices there from over the years. It’ll be time well-spent.
