CELEBRITIES including Sir Daniel Day-Lewis helped relaunch a special collection of books and other items celebrating the work of war poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon.
Five high-profile faces from the arts and creative world have lent their voices to Edinburgh Napier’s relaunched War Poets Collection – Oscar-winning actor Sir Daniel Day-Lewis; Olivier-winning actor Nathaniel Parker; poet, broadcaster and comedian Ian McMillan; journalist and broadcaster Allan Little; and award-winning author Dr Pat Barker.
Housed within the University’s Craiglockhart campus, the revamped space has been unveiled to mark 100 years since its Hydropathic was first used as a military hospital to treat shell shocked officers during the First World War.
A newly-created bronze sculpture of Wilfred Owen, the first of its kind, has also been installed.
The playlist of recorded poetry concludes with a haunting version of The Lads of Quintinshill 1915, composed and played by musician Thoren Ferguson. Thoren plays the Wilfred Owen violin, which is made from a branch of a sycamore tree from the grounds of Craiglockhart campus itself.
Catherine Walker, curator of Edinburgh Napier’s War Poets Collection, said: “Sir Daniel, Nathaniel, Allan, Ian and Pat have all given their time and expertise to support this project. Their distinctive voices have really brought the poems to life, giving our visitors an opportunity to hear and fully appreciate the poetry.”
To find out more, visit www2.napier.ac.uk/warpoets/index.htm