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

The Cascadia Poetics Lab, a Seattle-based poetry nonprofit, is hosting a series of events in British Columbia to promote their recently published anthology 'Cascadian Zen Vol. I'. These late August 2024 events showcase the unique intersection of Zen practice and the Cascadia bioregion through poetry and discussions. The anthology, published by Watershed Press, features work from artists and authors throughout the Cascadia bioregion, exploring the regional ecosystem, Zen practice conversations, and related philosophical questions.

The event series begins on August 22 at the Mountain Rain Zen Community in Vancouver, featuring the three editors of 'Cascadian Zen Vol. I': Paul Nelson, Adelia MacWilliam, and Jason Wirth, alongside Canadian poet Daphne Marlatt. Nelson founded 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 for a weekend of talks and readings on August 24-25, featuring Indigenous elder Wedlidi Speck and poet-philosopher Jan Zwicky alongside the anthology editors.

The final event occurs at the Community Hall on Quadra Island on August 26, showcasing Jan Zwicky and poet-typographer Robert Bringhurst with the anthology editors. These events provide a platform for exploring Cascadia's cultural and ecological identity through poetry, fostering deeper understanding of the local environment among residents and visitors. The inclusion of diverse voices, particularly Indigenous perspectives, contributes to more inclusive dialogue about the region's identity and future.

The focus on Zen practice in relation to the Cascadian ecosystem offers innovative perspectives on environmental issues and personal connections to place. This intersection of spirituality, poetry, and ecology inspires new thinking about sustainability and human relationships with nature. The Cascadia Poetics Lab's commitment to engaging communities across the bioregion is demonstrated through these free, public events in various British Columbia locations. Event information is available at https://cascadiapoeticslab.org/events-page/. The series represents a unique celebration of regional poetry, ecology, and philosophy, offering engagement with Cascadia's rich cultural and natural heritage through diverse poetic voices and perspectives on environmental consciousness.