Poetry from around the world will be recited in 10 languages and celebrated during the Mills International Center’s 12th annual World Poetry Night.

The event includes the presentation of original works of poetry as well as readings of published poetry that inspires participants, which includes students, staff and faculty. World Poetry Night will be held in the Knight Library Browsing Room on Wednesday, May 13, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Admission is free, and people from the Eugene community are invited to attend.

“The goal of World Poetry Night is to share and learn more about those around us through poetry. The event encourages artistic, linguistic and cultural expression from participants and attendees,” according to Leigh Scheffey with the Mills International Center.

The event is not limited to poetry, as one of this year’s participants, Pooria Manoochehri, will sing “Shirin Shirinam,” a Persian folk song, in Kurdish. This is the first time the arts administration master’s student is participating in World Poetry Night.

“I am extremely excited to showcase more about my Persian culture and passion for art during World Poetry Night,” he said. “I really appreciate that the event encourages intercultural dialogue through art and poetry.”

Business student Jason Kim will read “our bodies know our bodies,” an original work of poetry. Human physiology student Atsan Senghor will present David Diop’s’ “Africa my Africa.”

An open mic session will be held during the event and attendees will have the opportunity and are encouraged to share their poetry. Some of this year’s poetry will be read in Chinese, Farsi, Nepalese, Mongolian and Malaysian, and English translations will be projected for the audience.

A dinner and other performances are also scheduled for the event.

―By Corinne Boyer, Public Affairs Communications intern