Primary pupils push the boat out on Edinburgh Park poetry initiative

A poem written by primary school pupils in Edinburgh has been unveiled at Edinburgh Park, a new zero carbon urban quarter being developed by Parabola.

As part of an initiative between Parabola and Push The Boat Out (PTBO), Edinburgh’s International Poetry Festival, a class from Murrayburn Primary attended writing workshops led by poet Colin McGuire and created a poem for display on marketing hoardings at the site.

Entitled ‘Here’, all of the pupils contributed to the poem. The pupils recently visited Edinburgh Park to see their work on display on the hoardings, which are located outside newly completed office building, 1 New Park Square. They were also able to see the park’s trail of sculpture and a tapestry created by Dovecot Studios.

Dr Esa Aldegheri, PTBO’s engagement manager, said, “At PTBO our job is to explore fresh and inventive ways to bring poetry and audiences together by challenging perceptions of what poetry is and how it can be enjoyed. This initiative with Parabola has certainly done that and more.

“It has been a fantastic project to be involved in and for the pupils to see their work, and their names, on a huge display was very exciting and gave them a real sense of pride.”

Parabola MD Tony Hordon added, “Parabola already has a strong commitment to engagement with Edinburgh’s artists and cultural institutions, and we wanted to take that a step further by linking with local schools and building lasting partnerships with the community. This has been an extremely rewarding project and we have loved working with Murrayburn Primary School and Push The Boat Out.”