Writing poetry is a means of expression for children that is become increasingly valuable in today's stressful environment, according to Breda Dooley, public relations officer of the Tig Fili Arts Centre in Cork city.
Children are becoming increasingly reliant on videos and games for entertainment. "Our workshops bring children in to the world of art and serve as a balance. We challenge children to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary."
The centre is launching a book of poetry and illustrations by children from all over Europe on Friday. The Eurochild Book gives children an opportunity to write on topics that inspire them, including pets, teachers, monsters and pizza.
Two students from Scoil Bhride, Eglantine in Cork decided to write a poem about aircraft crashes, cleverly mimicking the safety procedures of cabin crew before take-off. The poem begins with a few words from the captain before he hands over to the air steward:
We are currently flying over Milan/Our destination is Japan./I'll leave you now with Elaine/I have to concentrate, I'm flying the plane. (Eimear Clancy and Niamh Frawley)
The book contains poetry and art from students in Ireland, France, Malta, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania and Belgium, and was edited by Tig Fili worker Aisling Lyons.
The Eurochild Book team of Tig Fili worked on the project with Euro Ecole in Nantes. The book was launched in France in May during a week-long festival celebrating the creativity of children in the Palais des Congres in Nantes.
Workers at Tig Fili say that "Eurochild" has a role to play in allowing children to develop and express themselves, and is particularly relevant at a time when the Department of Health and Children is working on a National Children's Strategy.
The director of Tig Fili, Maire Bradshaw, says that projects like these serve as an affirmation for children and encourage them to explore their creative potential.
The Tig Fili centre provides workshops in art and poetry, exhibitions, and readings. The centre also has a cafe which serves organic and Weight Watcher foods.
The building in McCurtain street is also home to Bradshaw books which has published the work of poets such as Theo Dorgan and Dymphna Dreyer.
Ms Bradshaw says that the centre needs adequate funding to continue its work in Cork. It has been putting pressure on Government departments since 1995 in an effort to receive grant allocations.
It has also expressed disappointment at the £1,200 allocated to it by Cork Corporation's arts committee. It is one of the two main literature centres in the city.
A sum of £10,000 was allocated to another literature centre in Cork, while a literary and scientific society received the remaining 2.2 per cent of funds.
Tig Fili worker and poet Liz Willows says that the group is falling through the net and will have to campaign actively to receive funding for its projects.
"We do a lot of good work with extremely limited resources. We don't begrudge other centres the money they receive but we would like to be included in the funding."
Maire Bradshaw says that she spends her time "borrowing" money from one project to pay for another. "I'd love to able to do projects without having to constantly worry where the money is going to come from."
"This is a house of ideas. But where is the funding for all of the ideas?" Liz Willows asks.