Endorsements
"I and all the poets you support, lift you up
with praise and encouragement."
-Maya Angelou
"I am pleased to write in support of your efforts to establish an International Poetry Museum in San Francisco.
San Francisco has long been a leader in the arts, nurturing generations of painters, sculptors, poets, novelists, playwrights, film-makers and performing artists and innovators of every kind. Our neighborhoods are vibrant incubators for for arts creativity, generating visionary programs and exciting festivals.
We look forward to having an International Poetry Museum in San Francisco to join our many outstanding arts institutions and provide enjoyment and inspiration for our visitors and residents."-Gavin Newsom., Mayor of San Francisco
"I am writing to express my support for your proposal to establish an International Poetry Museum in San Francisco. Under my administration San Francisco appointed its first Poet Laureate, Lawrence Ferlinghetti. San Francisco's long history as a literary center and a crucible for poetry makes this an ideal place for an International Poetry Museum which, in turn, will be an asset to San Francisco."
-Willie Brown Jr., former Mayor of San Francisco
"I applaud your idea for an International Poetry Museum. A positive step toward making poetry more accessible."
-Tom Ammiano, President, S.F. Board of Supervisors
"San Francisco has long been a center for poets who find their inspirations in its beauty and vitality. Our large literary community as well as our many international visitors will appreciate the significance of this project."
- U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi
"This project sounds exciting and worthwhile, and is certain to elicit a heightened awareness and appreciation of the role of poetry across nationalities and cultures."
- U.S. Representative. Lynn Woolsey
"San Francisco, an American city that has taken pride in its poetry and poets, would be a splendid site for a museum of this kind."
- Robert Pinsky, U.S. Poet Laureate 1999
"Mr. Berlandt has been an extraordinary resource for the public life of poetry for many years. His project, the International Poetry Museum, would crown his efforts and enormously enrich the city of San Francisco."
- Robert Hass, U.S. Poet Laureate 1998
"I applaud you for your initiative and perseverance, and I sincerely hope that you will be successful in leading your wonderful idea to practical fruition. I endorse you wholeheartedly."
- Rita Dove, U.S. Poet Laureate 1996
"Of course I support the International Poetry Museum. Poetry is the feast of the soul…it is what we as poets share with the world to fill and fulfill our basic need for passion and love and freedom and truth."
- Janice Mirikitani, San Francisco Poet Laureate 2000-01
"I should like to endorse heartily Herman Berlandt's project to found an International Poetry Museum. He has devoted his career to advancing the cause of poetry as well as poetry and film and he deserves to be able to realize his dream of a permanent museum devoted to the art."
- Lawrence Ferlinghetti, San Francisco Poet Laureate 1998
"I am happy to join in the chorus of the many voices speaking in support of Herman Berlandt's visionary plan for an International Poetry Museum. The City is clearly the place for it. Herman's dedication to poetry is legendary."
- Gary Snyder, Poet, Professor, U.C. Davis
"The concept of an International Poetry Museum is so natural that I'm surprised no one has thought of it before."
- X.J. Kennedy, Poet, Lexington, MA
"Onward! The museum is a solid idea and will be a great home for all concerned."
- Robert Creeley, Poet, Professor, Buffalo University, NY
"I want to congratulate you with my whole heart for this idea and I sincerely hope that you will be successful, and will give you as much help as possible."
- Martin Mooij, 20-year Director, International Poetry Festival at Rotterdam
"Every region has its artistic-political issues, but it is my sense that the leadership for literary activities in the Bay Area comes from the writers and editors, and that gives a project like the International Poetry Museum an integrity that will attract the full support of America's poetry community."
- David Bonanno, Editor, American Poetry Review, Philadelphia
"Poetry is to San Francisco what paintings are to New York. Herman Berlandt has a grand vision, and for years has brought the poetry of the world to San Francisco."
- Joyce Jenkins, Editor and Publisher of Poetry Flash, Berkeley, CA
"Herman Berlandt himself has been not only a poet but also a tireless supporter and promoter of poetry. He has understood the public dimension of poetry in a city like San Francisco and has worked to present poetry events in a thoughtful and intelligent way. His National Poetry Week programs--conceived long before the National Poetry Month in April -- was always of the highest quality and intent and drew considerable numbers of people."
- Jack Foley, Radio Host, KPFA, Berkeley, CA
"San Francisco is the city for poetry and the literary arts. Its literary history is one of the richest in the world and its 150-year history of accomplishment in poetry and fiction remains a significant draw to visitors. From Mark Twain to Lawrence Ferlinghetti, San Francisco has nourished and produced a distinctively American literature that is admired around the world."
- John Mueller, Executive Director, McAllen International Museum, McAllen, TX
"We support Mr. Berlandt's vision to honor poets."
- Phyllis Teplitz, Secretary, The Marin Poetry Center, Marin County, CA
"Indeed, the entire Bay Area has one of the richest historical traditions in poetry, and an International Poetry Museum would be an appropriate vehicle for preserving this tradition."
- Jeanne Bogardus, Executive Director, Marin Arts Council, Marin County, CA
"In this era of global upheaval, Herman Berlandt's vision for establishing an International Poetry Museum might well become an ingredient for the advancement of humanity."
- Dr. Yannis Phillis, Poet, President, Technical University of Crete, Crete, Greece
And other endorsements from:
Alexander Zwissler (Executive Director of the Fort Mason Cultural Center), Chana Bloch, Caroline Kizer, Galway Kinnell, Maxine Kumin, Philip Levine and Victor de Suvero.