Students gathered at the University of North Florida’s Ogier Gardens on April 3 for a celebration of poetry, wellness and spring, at the 10th annual Osprey Spring Jamboree and International Poetry Festival.
During this year’s annual celebration, according to the University of North Florida event calendar, students were able to participate in festivities at the Frederick and Ophelia Tate Ogier Gardens, which included music, food, wellness activities, poetry, and wellness practices.
A poetry workshop, open mic, and a tree of wishes were among the activities students could participate in during the festival.
As part of the Osprey Spring Jamboree and Poetry Festival, Constanza Lopez, professor of languages and literatures, Andrea Gaytán Cuesta, assistant professor of languages and literatures, and Kevin Anderson, senior coordinator at Ogier Gardens, organized the event.
Lopez said the Departments of Languages, Literatures, Cultures, and English will have many activities planned for the international poetry festival, including a poetry workshop and reading, and an art installation, “Wishing on a Tree”.
Lopez said attendees of the art walk on April 1 watched guest poets and artists and could also participate in an open mic, play games, and enjoy food.
Students participated in a poetry reading and workshop led by Danely Fernández Acosta at the festival, according to the event flyer.
“The experience of writing along with students and watching them share their poems was truly wonderful,” Fernández Acosta said.
A tradition rooted in community, spring renewal, and student health
According to the UNF botanical gardens website, the Frederick and Ophelia Tate Ogier Gardens are a hub for innovative environmental and public health programming. On an acre of land, these organic gardens feature row crops, fruit trees, raised vegetable beds, and peaceful sitting areas where students can relax.
UNF’s International Poetry Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. This will be its fifth year collaborating with Ogier Gardens, Lopez said.
The RecWell Ogier Gardens index highlights the benefits of the “Healthy Osprey Initiative,” which promotes healthy living and improves student retention. In an effort to promote this sort of initiative, the Ogier Gardens offer a year-round supply of organic herbs, vegetables, fruits, and sprouts, while also introducing the community to how easy it can be to grow vegetables and other seasonal fruits.
The jamboree celebrates the spring season, UNF’s campus poets, and the Ogier Gardens’ efforts to improve student health, Anderson said.
___
For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact [email protected].
