Sudbury names its 6th poet laureate

Vera Constantineau, Sudbury Poet Laureate

SUDBURY — A new poet laureate will be spending the next two years promoting literacy in the Sudbury region.

The announcement naming Vera Constantineau as the city's new poet laureate took place at the Greater Sudbury Public Library main branch on Thursday.

"I am so excited to be the poet laureate. I never anticipated being in this position," said Constantineau. "I followed the careers of others and I just really liked what they did within the community and I hope I can do as well."

Like all the laureate's before her, she will spend her two-year term advocating for poetry, literacy and literature in the community.

"I think that poetry, because it is one of the oldest forms of literacy, it gives something to people. There is a poem for everyone." Constantineau said.

The announcement brought in a small crowd of people, including past laureates.

Pierre Dubuc, the library's coordinator of outreach and programs, says the turnout was great and helps show how important this role is in the city.

"It's an amazing program because it shows the importance of arts and culture, the importance of poetry, and the unique art that that brings to the community," Dubuc said.

Constantineau says she found out that she won nearly a month ago and had to keep it under wraps until the official announcement.

"I had to sort of absorb it and then I went and had ice cream," she said. "I'm excited to get started!"

Constantineau says she plans to organize a podcast for the Sudbury library's website. She says it will give people a chance to hear about poetry and listen to interviews with other poets from across the north and, she hopes, southern Ontario as well.