Safe Harbors, Attentiveness and Experimentation: Reflections on the Organization and Curation of 'Poems in Port Cities' : A Conversation between Paul Casey and Cornelia Gräbner

Casey, Paul and Gräbner, Cornelia (2025) Safe Harbors, Attentiveness and Experimentation: Reflections on the Organization and Curation of 'Poems in Port Cities' : A Conversation between Paul Casey and Cornelia Gräbner. Liminalities: A Journal of Performance Studies, 21 (1). ISSN 1557-2935

Abstract

In this conversation / interview conducted on 9th May 2024, Paul Casey, Director of Ó Bhéal, and Cornelia Gräbner reflect on the organizational context within which the event "Poems in Port Cities" was embedded, and on the values and standards of the curation. The organizational and curatorial process builds on a round table conversation organized by Cornelia Gräbner at the Winter Warmer 2021, on "poetry scenes," which featured Paul Casey as well as poetry organizers Dave Ward (Liverpool) and Yolanda Castaño (A Coruña). This conversation articulated a shared understanding of "poetry scenes" as thoughtfully and intentionally created and nurtured cultural spaces, within which poets and poems can flourish and experiment, and within which "poetry" can be critically appreciated with attentiveness and patience, in dialogue with others and in a cooperative spirit. "Poems in Port Cities" was organized and curated on the basis of this shared understanding, and it was this understanding that enabled the experimental and speculative nature of the event. In this conversation, Paul situates the event within the context of Ó Bhéal's activities and ethos. Both conversation partners refer back to previous conversations and co-organized activities that fed into the event. The conversation also draws on and develops several mutual interests: the commitment of fostering a culture of listening and of attentiveness through the engagement with poetry; the identification and nurture of social and organizational techniques by which poetry environments are created and sustained; an ongoing exploration of, and reflection on, the poetics that emerge from and within the very specific environment of port cities and their surrounding shorelines; and an appreciation of the importance of mutual trust for the hosting and curation of experimental, genre-breaking events.