“Electronic media are banished. Reading, writing, and conversation prevail.”
Although I am late I am writing the letter anyway. Just because I love the concept. Earlier this summer, in Sackville New Brunswick, Canada there was a letter-writing bee. Here is an excerpt from the Sackville Tribune by event organizer Emma Bass:
“The Old Media Festival invites letter-writers of all ages to join in a day-long celebration of the hand-written letter. The Letter-writing Bee is a participatory community event and art exhibition. It creates a time and space for seeing art inspired by letters, reading letters, writing letters of all kinds, and finally mailing letters at the local post office.
The Letter-writing Bee will take place in the “writing room”, conveniently adjacent to the Black Duck Café, 19 Bridge Street, in downtown Sackville. Doors open at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, June 29, and will remain open until 8 p.m. or until the last letter is sealed, stamped and sent on its way. Electronic media are banished. Reading, writing, and conversation prevail. There will be crayons, coloured pencils, pens, pencils, paper, dictionaries, envelopes, and postage on hand – only address books are required. This is a free, public event dedicated to bringing a little art, poetry, and community into our correspondence. Children are especially encouraged to participate.”
I love so much about this idea of a letter-writing bee; the sense of community, trading inspiration, sharing supplies, unlimited conversation, the involvement of children in particular, and the organic growth possibilities of an event like this. And of course that it all surrounds the concept of writing someone a letter. What’s not to like?!
P.S. Did you know that you can use out of circulation stamps, provided that they add up to current stamp value, and your letter will get mailed? How fun is that!
Have you ever participated in a letter-writing bee?