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Struggling to get through hump day? This is the break you need. In celebration of the forthcoming global celebration of Irish poet William Butler Yeats from June 11-14, we give you one of his most beautiful poems, read by none other than Michael Gambon. Or would you be more familiar if we referred to him as Dumbledore? Bar Sir Ian McKellen, or perhaps Matthew Macfadyen who does those dreamy Marks & Spencer ads, we can’t think of a better voice to read our favourite poetry aloud than Hogwarts’ headmaster.
June 13th, 2015, would have marked the Nobel Prize winning poet’s 150th birthday.
The momentous birthday is being marked this year with hundreds of cultural events and celebrations happening both at home and abroad culminating in a four-day Yeats Festival from June 11-14 in Sligo, the inspiration for most of his poetry.
The life and work of WB Yeats holds a particular place in the world’s imagination. More than 40 countries are marking the birthday with cultural happenings dedicated to WB Yeats taking place from June 10 – 13 in Melbourne, Vienna, Montreal, Berlin, London, New York, Chicago, Seoul, Singapore, Shanghai, Utrecht, Bratislava, Slovakia, Paris and Madrid. Events include a range of concerts, readings, talks and screenings with a host of well know personalities taking part including Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Michael Gambon, Adrian Dunbar, Joanna Lumley, Edna O’Brien, Orla Kiely, Gabriel Byrne, Olympia Dukakis, Colum McCann and many more.
Watch this celebratory video and prepare to be transported.