THE magic of Narnia is meeting the rock age with the launch of a poetry jukebox in Strabane celebrating the life of Belfast author CS Lewis.
It has been set up at the Alley Theatre in Strabane to bring the authentic voices of modern poets to the public in the celebration of Lewis's life.
A native of East Belfast, CS Lewis found fame as an author and academic. His most famous works were the Chronicles of Narnia fantasy novels. The seven novels, including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe became beloved by children all over the world. A respected theologian, Lewis often used his literary work to explore Christian ideology.
The jukebox features modern poets including Malachi Black as well as Irish poets, Marion Clarke and Eleanor Hooker. The contemporary writers read from Lewis's work and can be heard by pressing the relevant sections on the periscope-shaped box.
The concept was created by Prague-based café owner, Ondrej Kobza. A cultural activist and passionate poetry lover, Kobza created Pianos on the Streets as means of animating culture in public places. The concept has since extended to cities including New York, Kiev, Warsaw, Berlin and Brussels.
A spokeswoman for Derry City and Strabane District Council said the Strabane jukebox was being curated by Maria McManus and Tade Ipadeola under the title A Deeper Country.
She said: “Only 52 such jukeboxes exist across global locations and they are placed in streets and areas with the aim of making poetry accessible to all.”
It will continue at the Alley Theatre until September 8.
