The City of Edmonton, Edmonton Public Library and Edmonton Arts Council have announced that Medgine Mathurine will be Edmonton’s next Poet Laureate.
The Haitian-born spoken word artist has been in Edmonton for 19 years, with her work being featured on outlets like CBC, Global TV and various festivals in the Edmonton area.
“For more than two decades, Edmonton’s Poet Laureate program has given voice to our collective experiences,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. As we look to the future, Medgine’s work reminds us that language is more than words. It’s culture, identity and a force for change.”
Mathurin will serve a two-year term as the Poet Laureate beginning yesterday. The role of the Poet Laureate is to reflect the life of the city through readings and poetry.
“Twelve-year-old me, sitting in ESL classes, would’ve never believed she’d one day become the Edmonton Poet Laureate,” said Mathurin. “I came to Edmonton 19 years ago in search of my voice — and along the way, poetry found me.”
Stay connected with Mathurin’s work and the events she will be reading at by following her on Instagram and checking on her website.
