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WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Poetry Exchange (PPE) is a voluntary, nonhierarchical organization that is marking its 50th anniversary of promoting and supporting poets and poetry; and,
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WHEREAS, PPE set out to develop services for poets in the community-not only poets associated with universities; and,
WHEREAS, PPE conducts ongoing workshops and produces or co-produces poetry readings, forums, and other special events; and,
WHEREAS, the workshop is open to all and held on the first Monday of each month; and
WHEREAS, PPE persists as the longest-running open, non-academic poetry workshop in Pittsburgh; and,
WHEREAS, PPE poets come from diverse backgrounds and include people who are just beginning to show their works to others and people who have been publishing poetry for years; and,
WHEREAS, Michael Wurster, one of PPE’s founding members along with Lloyd Paul Johnson, Dieter Weslowski, Vic Coccimiglio and J.W. Jansen (now Robin Edwards), possesses a unique ability to intuit a poem’s internal standards and guide poets on their own terms and has mentored countless Pittsburgh poets over decades; and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh’s bountiful arts community includes many artists who have been supported and appreciated by Michael Wurster and PPE;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare May 18, 2024, to be “Pittsburgh Poetry Exchange Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.