A special event in honour of poet Lauris Edmond

When I  accepted the Lauris Edmond Memorial Award ‘for an outstanding contribution to New Zealand Poetry’ at the Readers & Writers Festival in Christchurch in September 2012, I thought then it would be fitting to honour this fine poet with a reading in

 Auckland. Together with Frances Edmond (Lauris’ daughter), an evening of Poetry & Music  entitled ‘The Wisdom of Seasons’  was organized and held in the Music Theatre at the University of Auckland  on 12 February 2014 ( also Frances’ birthday).
It was a splendid and very special event. Both Frances and myself read selections from Lauris’ poems, while Uwe Grodd (flute) and Andreas Simon (piano) both from the University of Auckland, offered a variety of musical delights which included works by
 Weber, Richard Strauss and Satie, to fit he mood and atmosphere created by the poetry, which, in Ken Arvidson’s words, is ‘elegiac yet celebratory, conversational and sociable yet never far from meditative solitude… The air of spontaneity which is such an
 attractive feature of her poetry makes it seem like a clear window opening on her world and her life.’ 
A large and enthusiastic (almost capacity) audience later enjoyed good wine, food  and numerous reminiscences. It was indeed a memorable celebration ‘in honour’ .