RTÉ's The Arts Show: The Life and Work of WB Yeats now online

You can listen to the Poet on Poet panel held at the National Library of Ireland on Tuesday the 24th here. The diversity of responses from Matthew, Ian, and I worked well, I think, and I was pleased that Ian and I concurred about the importance of political poetry.

"You've Got to Live Here"

Jenny Diski provides a probing, sensitive account of her trip to South Africa in the new issue of London Review of Books. Highly recommended.

Speaking of Yeats

I fly to Dublin tomorrow to participate in the following event. I'm hopeful of a great night.

Poet on Poet: panel discussion at the National Library, Dublin

Tuesday 24 June, 8pm

Admission free but booking essential

Was Yeats the most influential poet of the 20th century? Three poets from different cultural backgrounds, yet each influenced by Yeats, discuss Yeats' influence on their own work, his impact on 20th century literature generally and poetry in particular. This event will be broadcast on The Arts Show, RTÉ Radio 1.

Guests include:

Vincent Woods (chair) - Presenter, The Arts Show, RTÉ 1; Ian Duhig, poet (England); Dr Carrie Etter, poet and academic (USA); Matthew Sweeney, poet (Ireland)

Places are limited so call now to reserve up to two places: (01) 6030277

"Conspicuous by Their Presence"

Kudos to Franca Sozzani, editor of Italian Vogue, and photographer Steven Meisel for bringing out a issue in which only black models appear and all the articles address black women in arts and entertainment. To see the New York Times article on the piece, click on its title above (you'll have to register to access the site, but it's well worth it for all the great articles, editorials, and reviews available).

Çiya

Çiya in Kadýköy, Istanbul, was where I had the most delicious food of my visit. Above is a picture of my main meal, the peach kebap. I can hardly wait to go again....

24 April 2008, Üsküdar (continued)

More street cats...



Inside The Blue Mosque (more exquisite than these pictures can show--click to enlarge for better detail)--

Istanbul, Day 4, 24 April 2008--Üsküdar

Atik Valide Mosque



Self-portrait outside Atik Valide--
my first time going into a mosque,
so my first time donning a headscarf for that purpose



Çinili Mosque
beautifully tiled throughout



the minbar at Çinili Camii

Cats in the cemetery at a mosque near the ferry

Coming or going?