Kimbolton School marked National Poetry Day with a programme of literary activities across the Senior School, including talks, readings and creative workshops designed to celebrate the power of poetry.

The school was thrilled to welcome Leonardo Boix — Argentinian-born poet, journalist, and author of Ballad of a Happy Immigrant, one of The Guardian’s top five poetry books of 2021.

Pupils across the Senior School took part in a varied and inspiring programme throughout the day, including Sixth Form language discussions, a full Year 7 recital, and a creative writing masterclass with invited pupils from Years 7 to 13.

Leonardo delivered a special lesson for A Level Spanish pupils, conducted entirely in Spanish. During the session, he focused on the art of translation, reinforcing the importance of wide and careful reading in order to master this skill.

Pupils had the opportunity to translate one of Leonardo’s poems into English, gaining first-hand experience of the challenges and creativity involved in literary translation. They also spoke with him about his personal journey as a poet and his experiences writing across languages and cultures.

The visit provided an excellent opportunity for pupils to engage with poetry in a meaningful way and for Kimbolton’s A Level Spanish pupils to develop their language skills through direct interaction with a published poet.