By Kahlil Gibran Defeat, my Defeat, my solitude and my aloofness; You are dearer to me than a thousand triumphs, And sweeter to my heart than all world-glory.
Defeat, my Defeat, my self-knowledge and my defiance, Through you I know that I am yet young and swift of foot And not to be trapped by withering laurels. And in you I have found aloneness And the joy of being shunned and scorned.
Defeat, my Defeat, my shining sword and shield, In your eyes I have read That to be enthroned is to be enslaved, And to be understood is to be leveled down, And to be grasped is but to reach one’s fullness And like a ripe fruit to fall and be consumed.
Defeat, my Defeat, my bold companion, You shall hear my songs and my cries and my silences, And none but you shall speak to me of the beating of wings, And urging of seas, And of mountains that burn in the night, And you alone shall climb my steep and rocky soul.
Defeat, my Defeat, my deathless courage, You and I shall laugh together with the storm, And together we shall dig graves for all that die in us, And we shall stand in the sun with a will, And we shall be dangerous.
Good books are friendly things to own. If you are busy they will wait. They will not call you on the phone Or wake you if the hour is late. They stand together row by row, Upon the low shelf or the high. But if you're lonesome this you know: You have a friend or two nearby.
The fellowship of books is real. They're never noisy when you're still. They won't disturb you at your meal. They'll comfort you when you are ill. The lonesome hours they'll always share. When slighted they will not complain. And though for them you've ceased to care Your constant friends they'll still remain.
Good books your faults will never see Or tell about them round the town. If you would have their company You merely have to take them down. They'll help you pass the time away, They'll counsel give if that you need. He has true friends for night and day Who has a few good books to read.
You have again made your way in, Cold and beautiful. You are December, And I love you. Despite the seasonal celebration, I know you to be more. You are calm, You allow me to slow, To envelope the tranquility I crave. Your winds, December, though cold, Allow me to feel the life in my cheeks, And if I’m lucky, It too will bring the sweetness Of some distant firewood. I welcome your snow, December. So that I may sit wrapped in wool, By candlelight, The dog having nestled in as well, Watching the frozen rain accumulate On the branches of the birch and oak. Though I live in the city, I dream of loving you December, Even more – if I were in nature. Then I would feel closer to you, As a lover may feel, Or perhaps a mother to a child. I would know, I think, how to More fully know why I am in love With you. And being with you, December, Brings me to life.
A festival celebrating 50 years of activism at Warwick Arts Centre.
As part of Warwick Arts Centre 50th anniversary celebrations, the local community takes over their spaces with a day of creativity all inspired by our ‘Rebels With A Cause’ season theme.
From performances across music, spoken word and dance, to pop-up theatre, to workshops in poetry and visual arts workshops there is something for everyone to enjoy!
All events are drop-in and suitable for all ages. We encourage you to explore our spaces and take part in as many things as you can. Get creative and channel your inner activist!
Artists & Performers:
Canley Samba Band, Butterworth Hall
Join Canley Samba Band on the stage of the Butterworth Hall for a rhythmic workshop and experience some classic Samba Band beats! Band leader Dave Barrett will share the origins of Samba Band as one that brings people together through joy, connection and solidarity as he introduces each piece you’ll play.
Dotti Sallis and Nor Aziz, Uniting Communities, Upper Foyer
Our friends in Canley take over the Upper Foyer with an installation that celebrates key Canley spaces and the importance these have in bringing the community together. Take part in a lantern making workshop in the morning and have a photo taken with performers from this year’s Canley Parade dressed in their illuminated costumes!
Emerald Book Club, Upper Cinema Foyer
Emerald Book Club is a vibrant community of readers and creatives, passionate about promoting literacy, culture, and thought-provoking discussions. Join them throughout the day for storytelling and reading sessions, creative writing sessions and the opportunity to share your words from the sessions.
Emilie Lauren, Lower Foyer
Explore protest poetry with Coventry’s first Poet Laureate Emilie Lauren! Create your own poems and share them on our collective poetry blackboards to share your words with all.
Foleshill Creates, Theatre Bar
Our friends at Foleshill Creates lead a day long drop-in workshop of craft activities in our Theatre Bar, with a focus on reusable and recyclable materials.
Good Neighbours, Lower Foyer
Discover more about befriending, speak to the team, and take part in activities that celebrate the joy of friendship!
Imagination Reading Cafés, Helen Martin Studio
An hour-long pop-up theatre experience led by Pru Poretta (Coventry’s Lady Godiva) and Jah Man Aggrey, with interactive props, unique puppets, live music and audience participation!
Ode Creatives, Foyer Stage
Enjoy this hour-long showcase set on our Foyer Stage featuring 4 local artists, each performing their own original songs that resonate with the ‘Rebels With A Cause’ theme. A celebration of local talent and amplifying voices.
Out of Whack, Studio
Join Out of Whack, our Elders Dance Company, and choreographer Liz Agiss as they present a new work made specifically to celebrate ‘Rebels With A Cause’ and what dance means to them. A Q&A will follow their performance.
Reign The Girl Band, Foyer Stage
Siân Jessica Lewis and Lily Smith from Reign, a multi-instrumentalist girlband, join us for an intimate, dynamic set showcasing original music from their upcoming EP. Blending acoustic and electronic elements the set will demonstrate the power of collaborative female musicianship. The performance will be followed by a short interactive workshop discussing barriers for women in the music industry, encouraging dialogue on how we can collectively rebel against these obstacles.
Sing for Change, Foyer Stage
Sing For Change is a Coventry based community choir that meets to sing songs for peace, social justice, equality and the environment. Their set includes songs as well as performance poetry, written by poets with experience of the British asylum system. You’ll have the opportunity to learn and sing-along to two protest songs and participate in a Q&A.
Tarla Patel, Creative Learning Space
Join artist Tarla Patel for a zine and postcard making workshop that explores the theme of rebellion! Using collage making, drawing, text and colour, you’ll make your own mini-zine booklets based on the ‘Rebels With A Cause’ theme.
Youth Leadership Collective with DASH Arts, Foyer Stage
Members of our Youth Leadership Collective take to the stage to share powerful and persuasive speeches on topics they feel passionate about created as part of a workshop with DASH Arts. Amplifying voices and hearing what matters to the young people in our community.
Dive into captivating worlds, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and connect with fellow bookworms who share your passion for literature. Whether you're an avid reader, a casual browser, or someone looking to explore new genres, there's a place for you here amidst the emerald pages of our virtual library. #emeraldbookclub#bookstagram#book#bookworm#booknerd#booklover#booklovers#bookaddict
