Poetic City Festival - Queer Voyages - Journeys In Poetry

Start with warm drinks and a recitation of Cavafy's 'Ithaca' at the stone etched with that poem, tucked among olive trees in a corner of New Acton.

Then, in the cosy interior of Parlour, we will voyage with poets whose writing documents journeys and adventures in queerness: Sandra Renew, Zhi Yi Cham, Joo-Inn Chew and Tom Kentwell. Queer Voyages will be hosted by Jacqui Malins. There will also be a short open mic, so bring a poem of your own queer voyages.

Cavafy is considered among the most distinguished Greek poets of the 20th century. He was an avid student of ancient civilisations and also wrote deeply personal and frankly erotic poetry of gay desire. In 'Ithaca', Cavafy evokes Homer's Odyssey, stressing the importance of the journey over the destination.