Cascadia Poetics Lab Launches British Columbia Events for 'Cascadian Zen Vol. I' Anthology

The Cascadia Poetics Lab, a Seattle-based poetry nonprofit, is hosting a series of events in British Columbia throughout late August 2024 to promote their recently published anthology 'Cascadian Zen Vol. I'. These events showcase the unique intersection of Zen practice and the Cascadia bioregion through poetry readings and discussions, providing a platform for exploring regional identity and environmental consciousness. The anthology, published by Watershed Press, features work from artists and authors throughout the Cascadia bioregion and examines the ecosystem of Cascadia while delving into conversations surrounding Zen practice.

The event series begins on August 22 at the Mountain Rain Zen Community in Vancouver, B.C., featuring the three editors of 'Cascadian Zen Vol. I': Paul Nelson, Adelia MacWilliam, and Jason Wirth, alongside Canadian poet Daphne Marlatt. Nelson founded the Cascadia Poetics Lab, while MacWilliam and Wirth serve as Founding Editors of Watershed Press, with Wirth also being a philosophy professor at Seattle University. The series then moves to the Abbey Studio in Cumberland, B.C., for a full weekend of talks and readings on August 24-25, featuring Indigenous elder Wedlidi Speck and poet-philosopher Jan Zwicky in addition to the anthology editors.

The inclusion of Indigenous perspectives highlights the anthology's commitment to diverse viewpoints on the Cascadia bioregion. The final event occurs at the Community Hall on Quadra Island, B.C., on August 26, showcasing Jan Zwicky and poet-typographer Robert Bringhurst alongside the anthology's editors. These gatherings are significant because they foster deeper understanding of the local environment through poetry while bringing together diverse voices that contribute to more inclusive dialogues about regional identity. The intersection of spirituality, poetry, and ecology offers innovative perspectives on environmental issues and human relationships with nature.

By making these events free and open to the public across multiple British Columbia locations, the Cascadia Poetics Lab demonstrates commitment to engaging communities throughout the bioregion. The organization's mission to empower poetry practice and deepen connections to place, self, and the present moment aligns with these events that celebrate regional poetry, ecology, and philosophy. Additional information about the events can be found at https://cascadiapoeticslab.org/events-page/ where interested individuals can learn more about this unique exploration of Cascadia's cultural and natural heritage through poetic expression.