Haiku Reading and Workshop
On March 30th, in collaboration with Kado Ottawa, the Embassy of Japan hosted a Haiku reading and workshop given by Mr. Marco Fraticelli, a haiku poet residing in Montreal. He is an executive member of Haiku Canada and his poetry has won awards in North America and Japan.
Ms. Yukako Ochi, Director of the Information and Culture Centre made opening remarks and introduced a Haiku Contest that was held in conjunction with this event through the Embassy’s Social Media. She then announced the winner of the Haiku Contest, Ms. Sylvia Parent and read her haiku.
Mr. Fraticelli read excerpts from his latest book “Chiyo-ni”, in which he adds his original haibun (poetic prose) to Kaga no Chiyo’s classic works. He explained that haiku should capture a moment worthy of recording, or a moment worth sharing, and that it must not be abstract, but rather visual, brief, and concrete.
This event afforded the opportunity for participants to recognize the history and breadth of the world that each word contains in Japanese haiku, to enrich their understanding of this form of poetry which has its origin in Japan, and to gain a fresh perspective in writing their own English haiku.
After the reading, participants shared their own works and Mr. Fraticelli made comments, creating an atmosphere rife with lively dialogue.
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| Ms. Yukako Ochi delivering opening remarks |
Ms. Claudia Radmore, a representative of Kado Ottawa, introducing the speaker |
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| Mr. Fraticelli reading his work |
Audience |
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| Participant sharing her haiku | Ms. Sylvia Parent receiving her award |