Claudia Jardine and Michael O'Leary - Pubs and poetry

A bevy of poets mark 50 years since the end of six o'clock pub closing at a free event next week at the National Library in Wellington. The finish of the "six o'clock swill" changed the way many New Zealanders drank and socialised - and our often fraught relationship with alcohol has been reflected in the work of some of our well-known poets. Claudia Jardine and Michael O'Leary will join other poets, including Greg O'Brien, Jenny Bornholdt and Bill Manhire, to share poetry that features "the drink". The event will include some special related Alexander Turnbull Library collection items, (including vintage beer mats), music from the collection of the National Library, and films from Nga Taonga Sound and Vision.