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Our poet-in-residence takes to the grounds for up to a 2-year period, exploring the surroundings, landscape, and memorials through the art of poetry.
Poet-in-Residence 2025-2027
A familiar face in community arts across the UK and internationally, Arji brings more than 15 years of experience working in settings such as prisons, youth clubs, and cultural landmarks including The Southbank Centre, The Barbican, and The Young Vic.
“This is honestly a dream gig. I’ve spent years connecting people through creativity, and this residency gives me the chance to play, experiment, and dive into stories that matter – from veterans, to families just wandering through the grounds. I’m excited to create poems and workshops that spark curiosity and help people see this amazing space in new ways.”
- Arji Manuelpillai
‘A Sonnet For Us All’ captures the stories etched into the hundreds of memorials within the Arboretum, inviting people to listen, reflect and consider the emotion that was the inspiration for these sculptures.
In this poem we explore just some of the moments we have had here at the National Memorial Arboretum in 2025.
Dan Simpson, our first Poet-in-residence, shares more about his experience:
“When I first arrived at the National Remembrance Gardens for my interview, I immediately appreciated how special this place is. There are not many public spaces where loss and grief are so welcomed, and the past remembered and honoured so openly.
I felt privileged to be chosen as their first poet-in-residence, and over the course of two years have seen first-hand the care and thoughtfulness with which the site and the memorials are used and maintained: allusion and symbolism are embedded in the nature of the Gardens, and so it's a truly creative and imaginative place to work as an artist. The engagement and learning teams are brilliant colleagues: dedicated to their purpose, open to ideas, and up for a challenge!
I've had some of the best experiences of my career over the residency: writing and sharing contemporary poems at both traditional services of Remembrance and for a new memorial dedicated to those who served our country during COVID; facilitating workshops for young people, veterans, serving personnel, and military families; seeing my poems on display in the exhibition spaces. Reflecting on my time in-residence, it's been an honour to be trusted in bringing my craft and skill to this special place.”
Dan Simpson, Poet-in-residence 2023-2024
