With the signature of Mayor David Whitus and the vote of approval by its Town Council, the Town of Farmville has officially announced its intention to join the largest literary celebration in the world. “NOW, THEREFORE IT IS PROCLAIMED, by the Mayor and Town Council that the month of April be recognized as National Poetry Month in the Town of Farmville, Virginia, in honor of poets across America that share their talent with the world,” the proclamation read.

National Poetry Month was founded in 1996. It is celebrated each April, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, bloggers and, of course, poets marking poetry’s important place in our culture and our lives, according to the Academy of American Poets.

The reasons for its celebration are rooted in the appreciation for the arts as well as academics. An important aspect is the point at which these paths cross. National Poetry Month highlights poetry in such a way that it can assist teachers in bringing more poetry into the classroom and increase appreciation for it as an art form.

According to the Academy for American Poets, there are many different ways to join the celebration. Follow the thousands of National Poetry Month celebrations taking place and follow the Academy of American Poets on Twitter @POETSorg.

Use the National Poetry Month logo to promote your events. Order a free National Poetry Month poster and display it proudly. Invite K-12 students to participate in our Dear Poet project by writing letters in response to poems shared by the award-winning poets serving on its Board of Chancellors.

Attend Poetry & the Creative Mind, a celebration of poetry from the reader’s perspective featuring leading and luminary actors, artists and public figures, which takes place each April in New York City.

Participate in National Poem in Your Pocket Day.

Join and show your support year-round for poets and poetry.

Share photos and feedback about National Poetry Month celebrations with the Academy of American Poets by emailing npm@poets.org.

For information on more ways to celebrate National Poetry Month visit www.poets.org/national-poetry-month/about-celebration.