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    Next Retreat: April 12-18, 2023

    RHODES

    POETRY

    RETREAT

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Be Inspired.

     

    Over five days in the quiet and rustic village of Monolithos, Greek-Australian poet Luka Lesson will employ 15 years of experience to facilitate a series of workshops that will uncover the oral traditions and history of the place his ancestors called home.
     

    Aimed at all skill levels, the sessions will include visits to Ancient sites, and a look at the historical context of spoken word poetry in Greece, as well as one-on-one guidance, group writing sessions and performance workshops. The retreat will then culminate in a private showing of participants' work in a supportive environment.
     

    This program is designed to allow for each writer to be inspired by their surroundings, fully supported in expressing themselves, and celebrated as their unique stories are revealed.
     

    The Rhodes Poetry Retreat package includes all meals, transfers, accommodation, writing workshops and visits to ancient sites

    with one of Australia's most experienced poets,

    in one of the most beautiful places on earth:

     

    the Greek Islands.

  • Love for Rhodes Poetry Retreat.

    The Rhodes Poetry Retreat is highly recommended by 100% of our previous participants.

    "I loved the authentic experience the retreat offered. It was wonderful to be away from urban life and tourist traps. The week was a blissful mixture of both rigorous writing and relaxation. I enjoyed being disciplined every day and writing at every turn and vista we were offered. This in turn gave me the intimacy I needed with Rhodes and my company of poets. It really felt like a 'retreat' and I hope it remains so.​"

     

    - Adelaide Friday, Byron Bay

    "It was a privilege to break bread, do life and WRITE POETRY in Monolithos. That was the highlight the village, the immersion in place-based writing/learning and of course Luka is the man!"

     

    - Zechariah Soakai, New Zealand

    "I like the easy going atmosphere the retreat offered. There were ample time to observe, create and soak in. The retreat was meditative and highly peaceful experience for me. Also our mentor Luka was very humble and approachable. The retreat gave a homely vibe and the food was extremely delicious and stay was comfortable."

     

    - Subi Taba, India

    "I never really considered myself a poet, having not written poetry since I was a child. Having shared a week with Luka and the crew, I have vowed to put my pen to page everyday because of how generative and wonderful this practice has been. If you're even tossing up whether to come along, prioritise this experience! It is impossible to quantify how much it has

    meant to me."

     

    - Babette Moules, Melbourne.

    "Luka's easygoing personality combined with his poetic expertise made the workshops really enjoyable and creative. I have never written poetry outdoors in special places before, and discovered I loved getting away from my computer and going 'old school' with pen and paper. I felt really relaxed, recovered from the rigours of my Turkey trip, and wrote some great poetry. I made new friends too."

     

    - Lou Steer, Sydney.

    "I have attended many poetry retreats in Greece. Luka's poetry retreat is, by far, the best. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Luka is an inspiring poet and teacher."

     

    - Lisa Jeffery, USA.

     

  • Luka Lesson

    the facilitator

    Luka Lesson is a poet, rapper and educator of Greek heritage born in Meanjin / Brisbane. His work crosses between the history of his family homeland, the fiercely political and the vulnerably self-reflective.
     
    A former Australian Poetry Slam Champion (2011), Luka has featured at the mecca for slam poetry: the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe (NYC) multiple times, performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and toured with respected UK rappers Akala & Lowkey.
     
    Luka's work has been featured in publications such as: Southern Sun: Aegean Light (2011, ASP), Poems From A Green And Blue Planet (2019, Hachette UK), and Solid Air (2019, UQP). Luka has been a poet-in-residence at the Scottish Poetry Library, appeared at Sydney Writers' Festival, Hong Kong Literature Festival, Ubud Writers' Festival and many more.
     
    Luka has always used poetry and rap writing workshops as a form of activism, helping people to articulate and perform their work for the past 15 years in education centres worldwide, amplifying countless marginalised voices in the process. Luka's poems and rap verses are being studied on official school curriculums throughout Australia, and unofficially by rebellious educators worldwide.
     
    In 2017, Luka established a poetry retreat in his Grandfather's village on an island in Greece: Rhodes Poetry Retreat.
     
    Luka's latest major project is Agapi & Other Kinds of Love, which premiered in 2022 at the National Museum of Australia during the exhibition Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors & Heroes.
  • Rhodes Poetry Retreat Program

     

    Arrival

    Fly into Rhodes Airport and the local team will provide transfers to your accomodation in Monolithos village, Rhodes Island.

     

     

    Transfers will be from Rhodes Ferry at 2pm

    and Rhodes Airport at 3pm.

    Poets wanting to be picked up from Rhodes Town

    should make their way to the Rhodes Tourist

    Ferry Terminal at 2pm.

     

    Dinner to be served at 8pm in Monolithos Village

     

    Travel Information

    Rhodes Airport receives direct flights from most European capitals including London, Berlin and Rome. A direct flight from Athens International airport is inexpensive and only lasts 45 minutes.

     

    We prefer to fly Aegean airlines.

     

     

     

     

     

    Day 2

    Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

     

    Workshop 5

    Modern Greek Poetry Traditions

     

    Workshop 6

    Homer and The Odyssey: Mythology or Metaphor?

     

    Lunch

    Siesta or Swim

     

    Visit & Solo Writing Time:

    Monolithos Mountain Walk

     

    Dinner

     

     

     

    Day 4

     

    Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

     

     

    Workshop 9

    "Critique Lovingly, Edit Ruthlessly"

     

     

    Workshop 10

    Memorisation Techniques

     

     

    Lunch

    Siesta or Swim

     

     

    Visit & Solo Writing Time:

    Local Monastery

     

    Dinner

     

     

     

     

    Day 1

    Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

     

    Workshop 1

    Introduction: The Role of the Poet & Why Are We Here?

     

    Workshop 2

    The Art of the 'Stream of Consciousness'

     

    Lunch

    Siesta or Swim

     

    Visit: Kimisala Necropolis

     

    Workshop 3

    Digging for Lyrical Fossils I

     

    Visit: Monolithos Castle

     

    Workshop 4

    Digging for Lyrical Fossils II

     

    Dinner

    Travel Info

    Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

     

    Workshop 1

    Introduction: The Role of the Poet & Why Are We Here?

     

    Workshop 2

    The Art of the 'Stream of Consciousness'

     

    Lunch

    Siesta or Swim

     

    Visit: Kimisala Necropolis

     

    Workshop 3

    Digging for Lyrical Fossils I

     

    Visit: Monolithos Castle

     

    Workshop 4

    Digging for Lyrical Fossils II

     

    Dinner

    rmation

    All meals and transfers provided

     

    Day 3

    Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

     

    Workshop 7

    Structure vs Freedom

     

    Workshop 8

    "One-on-One Advice and Assistance"

     

    Lunch

    Siesta or Swim

     

    Visit & Solo Writing Time:

    Athenian Acropolis of Lindos

     

    Dinner

     

     

     

    Day 5

    Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

     

    Visit & Solo Writing Time:

    Ancient Kimisala Palace

    Local Chapel & Square

     

    Workshop 11

    Performance Techniques

     

    Workshop 12

    One-on-one Assistance II

     

    Lunch

     

    Workshop 13

    Final Performance Rehearsals

     

    Final Group Performance in Monolithos Village

     

    Dinner

     

     

     

     

    Departure

    Final Transfers

    Breakfast at Thomas Hotel

     

    After breakfast the local team will provide transfers to Paradisi Airport or Rhodes Town centre, leaving at 12pm Midday.

     

    There will be no other transfers available.

     

    Distance from Monolithos to Airport is 60 minutes,

    and to Rhodes town centre: 90 minutes

  • Retreat Costs

     

    OPTION 1 - SINGLE ROOM
     
    Includes:
    •  10 Writing & Performance Workshops
    •  Visits To Ancient & Natural Sites
    • 6 Nights Single Room Accommodation
    • All Homemade & Restaurant Meals
    • Transfers to & from Rhodes Airport
    • Travel within Rhodes for the Duration of the Retreat
    • Notebook & Writing Tools
    Cost - AU$3700
     
    OPTION 2 - SHARED DOUBLE ROOM
     
    Includes:
    • 10 Writing & Performance Workshops
    • Visits To Ancient & Natural Sites
    • 6 Nights Shared Double Room Accommodation
    • All Homemade & Restaurant Meals
    • Transfers to & from Rhodes Airport
    • Travel within Rhodes for the Duration of the Retreat
    • Notebook & Writing Tools
    Cost - AU$3200
  • Reserve Your Place

    Choose your preferred option below:

    A single room or a shared room, 50% deposit or full fee.

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