Bermuda’s oldest town will celebrate the artistic and historical influence of poetry next week.

The Corporation of St George invited the public to celebrate the Unesco World Poetry Day on Monday.

The celebration will involve a poetry reading in King’s Square to an audience that will include residents and dignitaries.

Candy-Lee Foggo, the town manager, said: “Across cultures, poetry takes many forms — rooted in African traditions through oral storytelling and song, woven into European literary heritage and echoed in the rhythms of rap and reggae, where words carry deep messages of reflection and social consciousness.

“Through these diverse expressions, poetry allows us to share ideas, imagination, pain, love, peace and admiration.”

World Poetry Day will have the theme “A Treasure for Tomorrow: Celebrating 25 years of Our World Heritage Site Status”.

Primary schools around the area have been invited in the hope that the event can deepen the pupils’ appreciation of history and culture.

Emerging artists and poets will also be present to showcase their works.

Ms Foggo said: “For us, World Poetry Day highlights community members who not only have a deep appreciation for town history but also showcase future aspirations in the arts.

“Their expressed pride in their town and desire to be recognised as emerging artists may shape the future of St George.”

• For more information, visit the Corporation of St Georgewebsite