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The Poetry of War and Peace

A Fireside Chat on Identity and Inclusion with Pádraig Ó Tuama and Amanda Ripley

Date: Friday, February 3, 2023 / Time: 10:00am - 11:15am EST

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Any analysis of conflict zones will reveal that the arts are vibrant, powerful and focused during times of conflict. As a former leader of Corrymeela, Ireland’s oldest reconciliation community, Pádraig Ó Tuama knows that this artistic insight can speak directly to the conflict itself — addressing important systemic factors such as identity, race, gender and ability, as well as matters of legacy, lament and community. A renowned poet, Ó Tuama’s work examines how poetry in particular can help put sorrow into words and unlock ways to reframe and reimagine power in pursuit of peace.

On February 3, USIP hosted a conversation with conflict mediator, acclaimed poet and host of the popular podcast “Poetry Unbound" Pádraig Ó Tuama and bestselling author and Washington Post columnist Amanda Ripley. The discussion reflected on how poetry and language can capture the destruction of conflict, as well as how the arts can help build peace.

Continue the conversation on Twitter using #PoetryOfWarAndPeace.

Speakers

Pádraig Ó Tuama, keynote remarks
@duanalla
Poet-in-Residence, International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution, Columbia University

Amanda Ripley
@amandaripley 
Washington Post columnist and author

Kathleen Kuehnast, moderator 
@kathkuehnast
Director, Gender Policy and Strategy, Center for Thematic Practices, U.S. Institute of Peace

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