United Poets Laureate International - World Congress of Poets

22^nd World Congress of Poets

Larissa, Greece

June 29 - July 3, 2011

   Classical Larissa Imperial Hotel *****   

 http://www.wcp-greece2011.org/

e-mail: info@wcp-greece2011.org

INVITATION

Dear poet

We invite you to the 22nd World Congress of Poets that will take place from the 29^th June to the 3^rd July 2011, in Larissa, Greece.  President of the Congress was elected the Greek poet, Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis, internal medicine specialist physician, academician and doctor of literature.

The World Congress of Poets (WCP) which will be held for the first time in Greece is conducted since 1969 in various countries around the world and is an internationally recognized cultural event. Held every two years by the United Poets Laureate International (UPLI), one of the major international poetic organisms, brings together poets from all around the world. The aim of the institution is to promote the "World Brotherhood and Peace through Poetry" without discriminations of race, religion and nationality.

The history of the Congress delegation in Greece began in the 20th World Congress of Poets, held on 13^th– 17^th June 2007, in the city of Montgomery, the capital of the state of Alabama, USA. At this congress, Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis was elected President of the 22nd World Congress of Poets 2011. The election of the Greek poet as President meant also the conduct of congress in Greece.

Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis who participated at the 21st World Congress of Poets, which was held on 16^th -20^th July 2009 in Managua, capital of Nicaragua, in his speech he suggested Larissa as the host city of the 22nd World Congress of Poets in 2011. The Board of Directors unanimously accepted the proposal and President of UPLI Dr. Benjamin R. Yuzon, announced Larissa as the World Capital of Poetry in 2011.

Larissa is located at the heart of continental Greece, having a dynamic economy and extremely vibrant population. According to archaeological evidence, the capital of Thessaly, Larissa, has been inhabited since the tenth millennium BCE. Today, Larissa is a major commercial and industrial centre in Greece. Legend reveals that Achilles was born here and Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, died here as well. Larissa has a Municipal Art Gallery – G. I. Katsigras Museum, well-known for its selection. It is full of places for entertainment, Larissa’s Ancient Theatre, Monument of Hippocrates, Larissa’s Archaeological Museum, Saint Achillius Church, Alkazar Park, Pineios River, etc. Near Larissa, there is an interesting diversity of sceneries with the mountain of ancient Greek Gods, Olympus, the Valley of Tempi, the beaches of Larissa (Stomio, etc), the mountain Meteora (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with the old Christian monasteries, etc.

We expect you to enjoy a high-quality meeting along with our wholehearted hospitality, and we hope that you will have the opportunity to spend some fruitful time with friends in a relaxing atmosphere.

With these thoughts we look forward to seeing you all in Larissa.

Dear poet

It will be a great honor for the Organizing Committee of the 22nd World Congress of Poets 2011 to attend and participate in this important cultural event, held in the heart of Greece, from the 29^th June to the 3^rd July 2011, in Larissa. The congress offers to the participants a rich social and recreational program that includes "1^st Mediterranean Poetry Festival", traditional Greek night, visits to interesting sights in the Periphery of Thessaly, banquets with music and dancing, etc. We have also scheduled enough space for speeches and poetry reading.

We kindly request confirmation of your participation to the congress as soon as possible. Please also notice that you make your own airplane and hotel reservations.

We look forward to meeting you at the congress.

Οn behalf of Organizing Committee of 22^nd WCP/UPLI

Yours Sincerely,                                               

Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis  

President of 22^nd World Congress of Poets / UPLI

                      REGISTRATION FORM

·                                REGISTRATION:  Deadline April 30, 2011.

·                                REGISTRATION FEES:

• METHOD OF PAYMENT:

           Bank Transfer (in Euro):

National Bank of Greece

Bank account: 883/470043-06

IBAN: GR32 0110 8830 0000 8834 7004 306
Swift code - BIC: ETHNGRAA

Beneficiary: ASA CONSULTING ASA CONGRESSES AND GALA

 Please on the bank remittance do not forget to mention:
1.The  participant’s full name.

2. Reason of payment (22^nd WCP/UPLI, Greece 2011).

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS:

·        HOTEL RESERVATION - CONGRESS AREA

Classical Larissa Imperial Hotel *****   

182 Farsalon str. -- Larissa 41335 – Greece

Tel: (+30) 2410 687640
Fax: (+30) 2410 687687
Mobile: (+30) 6947275484
E-mail: fom_li@classicalhotels.com

Site: http://www.classicalhotels.com/

Contact person: Tourtouni Vassiliki (Front Office Manager)

·        The rates are valid only for the members of 22^nd WCP/UPLI:

• Single room: 80 Euro  per overnight
• Double room: 90 Euro  per overnight
• Rates include American Buffet Breakfast, all local taxes and services.
• Special Offers : Wi Fi Internet, Parking, Free use of the outdoor pool, Free use of gym, hamam and sauna of Imperial Health Spa

·        TRANSFER OF FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS

Transfer by bus will be made only from the International Airport “Macedonia” (Thessaloniki) to Larissa (90 minutes away). The daily programme will be announced after updating the flights of the participants.

                    Dates:

• June 28 & June 29, 2011
• July 3 & July 4, 2011

·        PARTICIPATION IN ANTHOLOGY (IN ENGLISH):

Send 1 poem (limit: 20 lines), short bio (limit: 10 lines) and1 small photo. (For the participants, is required the translation into English of their poem and bio, as well according to the instructions).

Deadline: April 15, 2011

Submit by postal mail to: Dimitris P. Kraniotis, 2 Panagoulis str, Larissa 41222, GREECE, or by e-mail: info@wcp-greece2011.org

• PARTICIPATION IN MEETING:

Theme: "World Brotherhood and Peace through Poetry"

Each speech will last 8 minutes, in English language. (For the participants, is required the translation into English).

Deadline: April 15, 2011

Submit by postal mail to: Dimitris P. Kraniotis, 2 Panagoulis str, Larissa 41222, GREECE, or by e-mail: info@wcp-greece2011.org

·        5^th UPLI POETRY CONTEST (IN ENGLISH AND GREEK):

ü      Open contest: Anyone may enter any of the contest categories.

ü      Rules and guidelines:

ENTRY FEE: 5€ per poem entered. Participation with one or more poems. The delivery of the poems will be at the first day of the Congress (June 29 at 17.00 pm), at 2 copies - A4, one with your name, the other without name. You can either join with poems in English (3 categories) or in Greek (1 category). No individual poem may be entered in more than one category. There is no Limit on the number of entries.

LINE LIMIT: Specified on each category.

ü      Categories:

Category 1. Rhymed poetry (English)

Any subject, rhymed, limit: 30 lines

*Prizes:1st Place €75, 2nd Place €50, 3rd Place €25, 3 Honorable Mentions

Category 2. Free verse poetry (English)

Any subject, any form, limit: 30 lines

*Prizes:1st Place €75, 2nd Place €50, 3rd Place €25, 3 Honorable Mentions

Category 3. Open form (English)

Any subject, any form, limit: 40 lines

*Prizes:1st Place €75, 2nd Place €50, 3rd Place €25, 3 Honorable Mentions

Category 4. Open form (Greek)

Any subject, any form, limit: 40 lines

*Prizes:1st Place €75, 2nd Place €50, 3rd Place €25, 3 Honorable Mentions

·        LANGUAGE:  

Official language: English

(There will be simultaneous translation from Greek to English and vice-versa.)

·        CERTIFICATE:

Certificates will be awarded on the last day of the Conference, Sunday July 3 at 11.00 – 12.00 am at Classical Larissa Imperial Hotel. It is necessary to show your Registration Card to the Congress Secretariat, so as to receive your Certificate of your participation.

·        CONGRESS LOCATION:

 Larissa, Thessaly, Greece

Larissa is the capital of the Larissa Peripheral Unit (Larissa Prefecture). It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos and with Thessaloniki and Athens. The population of the greater area is around 250,000, and takes in other smaller suburban communities. According to archaeological evidence, the capital of Thessaly, Larissa, has been inhabited since the tenth millennium BCE. Today, Larissa is a major commercial and industrial centre in Greece. Legend has it that Achilles was born here and Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, died here as well.

·        SOCIAL PROGRAMME (Only for Full Members)

·        Welcome Banquet (Gala Dinner)

·        Tour of Meteora (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

·        Tour of the Tempi Valley (by traditional train)

·        Tour of the Larissa beaches (Stomio, Monastery of Komnenion)

·        Traditional Greek night

·        Farewell Banquet (Gala Lunch)

·        SOCIAL PROGRAMME (for All Members)

·        Opening Ceremony (with traditional Greek dances)

·        Tour of the city of Larissa (Ancient Theatre, Monument of Hippocrates, Archaeological Museum, Alkazar Park, Pineios River, Saint Achillius Church, Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa)

·        Dancing Poetry in the amphitheater area of the Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa

·        "1st Mediterranean Poetry Festival" (with Music Concert) in Theatre of Tempi

·        Award Ceremony

·        ORGANIZING COMMITTEE OF 22^nd WCP/UPLI:

                  President:

• Dimitris P. Kraniotis

President of 22nd World Congress of Poets

                          Members:

• Katerina Ziazia-Souflia
• Christos Sideropoulos
• Dimitra Bardani
• Athanasios Karatolias
• Vasiliki Mandalou
• Evangelia Raptou
• Christina Yiangou-Lavdaki
• Giorgos Zimianitis
• Pavlos Lalos
• Lina Folina
• Stefanos Koutras
• Giorgos Tsitroulis
• Panos Papageorgiou
• Athanasios Michail

·        CLIMATE

The weather in Larissa in June and July is hot, even too hot at times. An experience of a hot weather and an endless sunshine.

·        CONGRESS SECRETARIAT:

Please do not hesitate to contact the organizers if you

require any additional or assistance:

A.S.A. Congresses & Gala

Tel: (+30) 2410 256640