Scugog has announced its first Poet Laureate, Hollay Ghadery. She will assume her position in the fall of 2023.
The township said she will soon compose poetry to capture the beauty of the township and commemorate its culture, its heritage, and its community.
Ghadery as Scugog Poet Laureate will participate in select community events such as: Remembrance Day, Canada Day, Council Investiture, Unveilings, and incorporate poetry into a range of official community activities, said a township statement. A Poet Laureate is an ambassador for the literary arts, and an honorary designation to educate, create, and promote poetry. When commissioned for an event, Hollay Ghadery will read from their original works that will reflect and elevate the occasion.
The Scugog Poet Laureate was appointed by a committee consisting of representatives from the local arts community and the Township of Scugog. The committee reviewed the applications, and held in depth interviews, which included selected poems.
Hollay Ghadery is a published, award winning Iranian-Canadian poet. She grew up in Uxbridge, Ontario and is the author of several books, most recently, Rebellion Box (Radiant Press, 2023), a collection of poetry that explores limits of fixed identity through a universal, global, and hyper-local lens.
“The Township of Scugog is honoured to have Hollay Ghadery accept the role of Poet Laureate. Supporting the literary arts serves to educate and elevate our community. Having the poems composed to reflect our community and read at special events not only celebrates our occasions but roots them in the medium of the written word for prosperity,” said Mayor Wilma Wotten.
“Growing up in the area and having so much of my writing inspired by local culture makes being selected as The Township of Scugog’s first Poet Laureate a tremendous honour. Not only am I thrilled to be representing this remarkable place and its people through my work during my time as Poet Laureate, but I am looking forward to meeting many more members of the community and hearing their stories. Thank you to Scugog Arts and The Township of Scugog for this distinction,” said Ghadery.