The Cascadia Poetics Lab, a Seattle-based nonprofit dedicated to fostering poetry and deep connections to place, is organizing a series of events in British Columbia to celebrate the release of their anthology, Cascadian Zen Vol. I. Published by Watershed Press, the anthology brings together works from distinguished artists and authors across the Cascadia bioregion, exploring themes of ecosystem, Zen practice, and the questions they inspire.
The first event is scheduled for August 22 at the Mountain Rain Zen Community in Vancouver, B.C., featuring the anthology's editors—Paul Nelson, Adelia MacWilliam, and Jason Wirth—alongside Canadian poet Daphne Marlatt. Following this, the Abbey Studio in Cumberland, B.C., will host a weekend of talks and readings on August 24-25, with Indigenous elder Wedlidi Speck and poet-philosopher Jan Zwicky joining the editors. The series concludes on August 26 at the Community Hall on Quadra Island, B.C., where Jan Zwicky and poet-typographer Robert Bringhurst will appear with the editors. All events are free and open to the public.
Paul Nelson, a published poet and the founder of Cascadia Poetics Lab, alongside Adelia MacWilliam and Dr. Jason Wirth, brings a wealth of experience and insight to these events. Their work, both individually and collectively, underscores the importance of poetry in understanding our connection to the environment and each other. For more details on the events, visit https://cascadiapoeticslab.org/events-page/.
These events not only celebrate the release of Cascadian Zen Vol. I but also serve as a platform for dialogue on the role of poetry and Zen in navigating the complexities of modern life and our relationship with the natural world. The participation of figures like Wedlidi Speck and Jan Zwicky highlights the anthology's commitment to diverse perspectives and the rich cultural tapestry of the Cascadia bioregion.
