My Greek grandparents were refugees, they fled Smyrna (present day Izmir) in 1922 when it was being burned to the ground. Many people, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, were killed, burned alive or drowned trying to escape the flames and the Turkish army. My grandparents and relatives were lucky enough to get a boat and flee, some to the Greek island of Lesbos (where many Syrian refugees are fleeing to) and some to Alexandria, in Egypt. I feel sympathy and solidarity with the Syrian refugees and I will read poems about my grandparents experience at the Poem-A-Thon in historic sympathy. 

Along with 59 other poets I am reading my poems at a sponsored poetry reading or Poem-a-Thon in East London on Saturday December 5th - my 10 minute poetry reading slot is at 5pm. All funds raised by the event, through sponsorship and donations, will go to Médicins sans Frontieres to support their crucial work with refugees.

The Poem-A-Thon is being hosted in one of the coolest venues in London:Vout-O-Reenee's Club, The Crypt, 30 Prescot Street E1 8BB
Nearest tube stations: Tower Hill, Aldgate East.  Date: 5th December 2015 and takes place between 12pm to 10pm.

 
What is a Poem-a-Thon? The idea is to have a constant 'relay' of poets reading poems throughout the day. Each poet signs up for a ten minute slot during which they read their own choice of poems. It can either be their own work or favourite poems they wish to share. The poems don't have to be themed, but poems themed around the subject of refugees would be welcome.

Participating poets are organising sponsorship through a group fundraising site such as Just Giving . On the day itself guests are invited to come along to support the poets and there will be a cocktail especially created for the event!