Glasgow is celebrating its 850th anniversary with a poetic twist. The Great Big Glasgow Poem invites all Glaswegians to contribute a line to create a collective masterpiece that reflects the city’s vibrant spirit.
Led by Poet Laureate Jim Carruth and supported by Glasgow’s Lord Provost, the project aims to capture the diverse voices of the city. It invites everyone to add a line starting with “My Glasgow is…,” offering a personal reflection of what the city means to them. Contributions can be made in any language, with translations included.
The evolving poem will be accessible online, ensuring that all voices are heard throughout the year. Each line added will reflect the thoughts and experiences of those who call Glasgow home.
Jim Carruth, who has served as the city’s Poet Laureate for a decade, said, “This project gives everyone in Glasgow the chance to share what makes our city special. Whether you’ve lived here all your life or just arrived, your voice is important, and we want to hear it.”
Carruth will compile the submissions and add his own final line at the end of the year to complete the poem.
The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, expressed her support, saying, “Glasgow is a city of stories, and this poem will reflect our shared experiences and hopes for the future. I encourage everyone to get involved and add their voice to our collective ode to the city.”
McLaren’s contribution reads, “My Glasgow is a city of unity and compassion, where kindness and support are woven into the fabric of everyday life.”
The project also saw contributions from former Lord Provost Alex Mosson (85) and five-year-old Amani Elfadil from St Mungo’s Primary School.
Inspired by a visit to the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Art Gallery and its painting ‘Spring in Glasgow’ by John Duncan Fergusson, Mosson’s line reads, “My Glasgow is a place to flourish and flourish it does.” Amani’s line, reflecting her childhood experiences in the city, reads, “My Glasgow is where I am safe with my family, I love that it has fun places like soft play and Glasgow Green.”
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