A two-day Festival to encourage Deaf people to create “haiku” poems in British Sign Language (BSL) will take place at Bristol University next month [July 29 and 30].

Haiku is a type of traditional Japanese poetry, well known for its shortness in form and richness in meaning that has become very popular outside Japanese custom.  Topics are usually associated with season, nature and vivid scenes in life, such as “old pond; frog leaping; splash”.  It also emphasises on visual images, which makes sign language an “ideal vehicle” for this particular kind of poetry. 

The Festival consists of two parts, a workshop and a competition.  The workshop will give the participants an idea of what haiku sign language is.  People will then be encouraged to create their own haiku poems, which will be performed in a competition the next day.

Michiko Kaneko, organiser of the event, said: “Haiku sign language already exists in many forms.  This Festival will be a good opportunity for poets, and poets-to-be, who are interested to learn more about haiku in BSL.”

The Festival is supported by Bristol University’s Centre for Deaf Studies, the Dorothy Miles Culture Centre (DMCC), Japan 21, and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation .

The BSL Haiku Festival, organised by Bristol University’s Centre for Deaf Studies, will take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July, Burwalls Centre for Continuing Education, Bridge Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol.    Tickets are priced at £40, including dinner, lunch and refreshments.  Accommodation is optional and priced at £35.50.

The Festival is open to any Deaf person who is fluent in BSL but places are limited.

For further information please email Michiko Kaneko, email edxmk@bristol.ac.uk or visit www.bris.ac.uk/deaf/news/2006/060606.html