Issuing a call to action, poet laureate capped National Poetry Month by urging Greater Sudburians to “get out of your comfort zone.”
“I invite everyone to continue supporting local artists, go see independent cinema, buy books from local poets, check out a concert, a play or a festival,” he said. “Anything but staying at home watching Netflix.”
Alex Tétreault is Sudbury’s eighth poet laureate, and was invited to speak at Tuesday’s city council meeting — an annual tradition which marks the end of National Poetry Month.
Poets, Mayor Paul Lefebvre said, “Give us the opportunity to stop, think and feel at a deeper level.”
The poet laureate typically reads a selection of poetry during their time at the podium, but
Tétreault used his time to talk about the local arts community, which he described as made up of “brilliant, dedicated, amazing creatives.”
“We’re beyond lucky to have an artistic community not only contributing to the betterment of their craft, but also making important personal sacrifices to ensure that Greater Sudbury is as vibrant a place as it is,” he said.
“I’ve had creative mentors, artists and educators who supported me every step along the way, silencing my doubts and helping me find the courage to use my voice.”
Local artists have overcome much through dedication, he said, noting that the artistic community is suffering, “from limited resources, overworking and burnout, the increasing cost of materials, stagnating funding and for a few years now, the disappearance of post-secondary training for aspiring artists, whether in French or in English, or wanting to work on stage or behind the scenes.”
The pandemic, he said, “accelerated a corrosion already underway.”
Even so, he flagged several examples of recent artistic output, including the recent publication of a local poetry book titled “A Thousand Tiny Awakenings,” Blaine Thornton’s Mooncrater Theatre, which recently held their first poetry slam, and various other local efforts which have helped make Sudbury a creative centre.
“When I’m at my lowest, when I think of dropping everything and hiding behind a standing desk somewhere until I retire, I find strength in my community,” Tétreault said. “They give me hope that together we can do anything.”
Greater Sudburians are lucky, he said, “to have so many people, despite the odds, making their way through the world and not being afraid of letting their freak flags fly.”
A video of Tétreault’s full speech is available on the city’s website by clicking here. His remarks begin at the 2:13:50 mark.
Tyler Clarkre covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.