The success of the first Poetic Blizzard / Poezijos gniūžtė / event last year has inspired teachers from “Diemedis” middle-school in Vilnius to seek connections in other schools across UNESCO Cities of Literature. The idea behind the event is to imitate the expected, yet nonetheless exciting arrival of snow in winter. In Lithuania, the arrival of snow is often marked with snowball-fights: being hit with a snowball is an invitation to hit back. In a similar fashion, the exact date of “Poezijos gniūžtė” is kept secret, however, participants are warned a month in advance that an event of this kind will be taking place in December and it is necessary to memorize a poem of their choice by a local author by that time. On the day of the event, the reading is organized around the “passing of the snowball”. Participants are requested to come together in one space and then take turns reciting their poems. Certain ground rules apply: the poem must be recited in the national language; participants themselves decide when they are comfortable to step out and recite their poem (i.e. there is no list or specific order); the audience are to refrain from applauding. The event lasts as long as it is necessary for all the participants to recite their poems.
· Teachers of literature, languages, and cultural studies are invited to express their interest in participating until October 23.
· On October 27 we will invite all cities to join the online presentation organized by Vilnius UNESCO City of Literature.
· All schools, classes, and organizations decide on which day of December they will organize the Poetic Blizzard.
· We will share the photos and videos taken during your events if you send them to us at Vilnius UNESCO City of Literature.