Commonwealth Poetry Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Exploring the Maldives and its poetry Oct 30, 2022

Show notes

In this episode Gyles and Aphra Brandreth meet Dr Farah Faizal the High Commissioner for the Republic of Maldives in the UK. Dr Faizal, who enjoys writing poetry herself and is the granddaughter of poets, discusses pioneering women in Maldivian poetry. In this episode she shares poems by one of the earliest female poets writing in the Dhivehi language, Aminath Faiza who was famously known as the “Daisy Maa", the Daisy flower of Maldivian poetry.

Poems this episode include: Hearts of Stone by Farah Didi, and On the Occasion of the Wedding of Princess Elizabeth, and The New Spirit of Maldivian Women both by Aminath Faiza (Daisy Maa).

Next stop Seychelles with dub poet Raspyek Oct 16, 2022

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In this episode Gyles & Aphra Brandreth travel to the Seychelles located in the Western Indian Ocean to meet dub poet Tony 'Raspyek' Joubert. Going by the stage name Raspyek, he shares his story and performs some of his poems including ‘Mr Johnson’ which he wrote as a young man about the boyfriend of an older girl he was in love with, ‘Money’ and ‘Hours of Slavery’.

Next stop Kiribati with a song or two! Oct 02, 2022

Show notes

In this episode Gyles & Aphra Brandreth travel to Kiribati, located in the central Pacific Ocean it is made up of 33 Coral islands, of which 20 are inhabited with a total population of just 115,000. We meet Rotee Walsh a traditional singer and dancer, and her husband Michael Walsh author of A History of Kiribati from the Earliest Times to the 40th Anniversary of the Republic. They share their story of life in Kiribati, its history and traditions. And whilst Kiribati does not have a written tradition of poetry, it does have a very rich body of poetic song. So instead of poems this episode, we hear two traditional songs translated as: Teraaka’s Adventure and I look up in the sky in wonder.

Discovering Belize – “a place of love, joy and sunshine” – with poet Felene Cayetano Sep 18, 2022

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In this episode Gyles & Aphra Brandreth travel to Belize in Central America where they meet Felene Cayetano a Belizean, Garifuna, Librarian, Author, Mother, Screenwriter and Director. Describing Belize as “a place of love and joy and sunshine” she shares her passion for reading, for books, and for libraries.

Poems this episode include: Dawn is a Fisherman by Raymond Barrow and In My Feet by Felene M. Cayetano.

Poetry from around the world! A fortnightly celebration of Poetry and The Commonwealth.

Exploring Australia and its poetry Sep 03, 2022

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In this episode Gyles & Aphra Brandreth travel to Australia which is amongst the largest countries in the world and home to the world’s biggest coral system. They meet with the High Commissioner for Australia His Excellency George Brandis QC who shares his love for Australia as well as his love for poetry, reading two classic Australian poems. And we hear from Jaya Savige, an Australian Poet living in London who shares one of his poems from his most recent collection, Change Machine (2020), which was a finalist for the Australian Prime Minister’s Literary Award.

Poems this episode include: Clancy of the Overflow by A. B. (“Banjo”) Paterson; My Country by Dorothea Mackellar; and Whatever the question, the cordless by Jaya Savige

Next stop Guyana with award winning poet Grace Nichols Aug 20, 2022

Show notes

In this episode Gyles and Aphra Brandreth meet award winning poet Grace Nichols, recipient of the 2021 Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry. Meeting at her home in Lewes, East Sussex, Grace takes us on a journey to Guyana sharing stories of growing up in a small country village before moving to the capital George Town and eventually migrating to England.

Poems this episode include: Picture my Father, Wha Me Mudder Do and For Forest, all by Grace Nichols, Looking At Your Hands By Martin Carter and Tarantella by Hilaire Belloc.

Discovering Cyprus and its Epic poetry Aug 06, 2022

Show notes

In this episode Gyles & Aphra Brandreth travel to Cyprus – one of the sunniest islands in Europe. It has been written about and featured in literature over hundreds of years from Ancient Epic Poetry to Shakespeare. Our guest this episode is Dr Marios Psaras the Cultural Counsellor at the Cypriot High Commission who takes us on a journey discovering the richness of Cypriot literature. He shares his experience growing up in a refugee settlement in Cyprus and talks about the relationship between poetry and philosophy.

Poems this episode include an excerpt from Scruple by Stella Voskaridou and Doggy by Avgi Lilli.

Discovering St Kitts & Nevis with 'the snapshot' poet H.E. Dr Kevin Isaac Jul 23, 2022

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In this episode Gyles and Aphra Brandreth's journey around the Commonwealth takes them to St Kitts & Nevis where they meet H.E. Dr Kevin Isaac, High Commissioner for St Kitts and Nevis and the current Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Dr Isaac is also a published poet describing his poems as 'verbal photography' taking snapshots of life. Poems in this episode include: And I Missed the Laughter, and The Vessel, both by Kevin M Isaac from his compilation of poems 'Breakfast With My Fathers' which is dedicated to his father and father-in-law. Poetry from around the world! A fortnightly celebration of Poetry and The Commonwealth.

Next stop Cameroon Jul 09, 2022

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In this episode Gyles and Aphra Brandreth's journey around the Commonwealth takes them to Cameroon via Russia and Wales! They meet Eric Ngalle Charles a Cameroonian born, Wales based writer, poet, playwright, and actor who shares his remarkable journey crossing continents from Africa to Europe. Poems in this episode include If Heaven is Her Father’s Land, Her Father Can Keep It, and Fragments by Eric Ngalle Charles. Poetry from around the world! A fortnightly celebration of Poetry and The Commonwealth.

Exploring Rwanda and its poetry Jun 25, 2022

Show notes

In this episode Gyles and Aphra Brandreth's journey around the Commonwealth takes them to Rwanda where they meet Melody Ingabire a Rwandan poet working at the High Commission in London. Melody paints a picture of Rwanda, reading thought provoking poems which reflect on the 1994 Rwandan genocide, as well as sharing her optimism for the future. Poems in this episode include Speak for the People by Malaika Uwamahoro and Relearning the Power of Soft by Melody Ingabire. Poetry from around the world! A fortnightly celebration of Poetry and The Commonwealth.

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