Borders of Compassion: Poems for Peace

Silver Words November 2024 spoken word event (Wednesday 20th November) is taking a stand, themed: "Borders of Compassion." This theme can be interpreted in various creative ways and if you are performing, your piece does not need to directly relate to "Poems for Palestine" - however all ticket proceeds will be donated to "Action Aid: Gaza Crisis Appeal."

After recently reading "The Ruse of Safety: by Andrew Brooks and Astrid Lorange in Overland No. 254 (excerpt below), I was motivated for Silver Words as a collective to take a stand. Brooks & Lorange discuss how the concept of "cultural safety" has been used in the public discourse to *say nothing* and *do nothing* in an attempt to justify silence. 

"In December 2023 and January 2024, letters co-signed by more than a thousand Australian artists and arts workers under the banner "Artists for Palestine". These letters were sent to cultural organisations across the country, asking them to take a principled stand against mass civilian death and infrastructural devastation in Gaza and the West Bank. These letters acknowledged the role of art as a site for political engagement and alternative world-making, citing the long history of activist art and its uncompromising visions of justice and freedom. At the time of writing, in February 2024, none of the twelve organisations petitioned by Artists for Palestine had taken up a call to make a public statement on the war in Gaza." (Brooks & Lorange p.22). 

Do you have a poem or story you have written you would like to share? Or just love to listen to poetry and storytellers weave words. Come join us to listen or perform!

Suggested theme: Borders of Compassion
Kickoff 6:30pm
SHAMBLES BREWERY (back room)

In the details:
-Pre-buy tickets or door sales (all proceeds donated)
-Maximum 5 minutes (roughly) stage time per person
-All ages event
-Newbies welcome!

Please use trigger warnings. 

"Hatred or contempt on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or mental or physical disability will not be tolerated."

Silver words is an inclusive, supportive and safe space.