Had a look at the poetry posters pasted to the doors of the houses in the ‘Welsh Streets’ of Toxteth this morning. I’m not qualified to takes sides in the debate over the threatened demolition of the streets but I think this is a splendid project. Its a pleasant change from spray-painted graffiti at least and there’s some really poignant lines in the poems and lyrics relating to home and loss of place etc.
This is only part one and no doubt the posters won’t last long, take a look if you’re in the area and look out for part 2.
Inspired by Liverpool City Council’s tarting up of derelict buildings in Edge Lane and elsewhere, local arts group THE UNKNOWN POETS have been commissioned by no-one in particular to produce a unique poems and lyrics installation in the now famous Welsh Streets in Toxteth. This area of Victorian streets is still threatened with demolition, but the redevelopment has not yet received planning permission and several streets may be reprieved according to sources at Liverpool City Council. Taking poetry and lyrics from different eras, the project pastes them onto the doors of derelict houses in the area, in a piece entitled: ‘Papering Over The Cracks, Part One’.
An unknown spokesman for The Unknown Poets said: “In the spirit of the Council’s “Living Through Change” programme, this project aims to lift the spirits of those left living in largely abandoned tinned-up streets, as well. The poems and songs were chosen to comment on the situation we find ourselves in, as well as brightening the place up.
“This is the European Capital of Culture after all, and we felt that poetry and lyrics were underrepresented represented thus far. Equally under-represented are local people for that matter, who are largely relegated to a marginal role as passive spectators at big events. This project highlights our famous love of poetry, song and humour, as well as our world class infamous and failed approach to housing and regeneration.”
“We hope that other communities across the city follow our example and improve the look of the place at this all important time. Our message is simple: wherever there’s a derelict house, put a poem on the door. Wouldn’t that make Liverpool a better place to be?”
The exhibition is on now at the Welsh Streets, Liverpool 8, off Princes Avenue and High Park Street. Open all the time, for a limited period only. For more info, or to make comments and suggestions, please contact
welshstreetspoetryproject@live.com
