Under the Leaves: Poetry at Beechwood – Inaugural Event: Bytown to Ottawa: A Bicentennial Poetry Gathering

August 12 2026 6:45 PM | Beechwood Cemetery – Section 34 (opposite the tank) Beechwood Cemetery is proud to launch Under the Leaves: Poetry at Beechwood, a new annual poetry series celebrating the voices, histories, and creative spirit that shape our nation’s capital. The inaugural edition, Bytown to Ottawa: A Bicentennial Poetry Gathering, is timed between the birth anniversary of William Pittman Lett, Bytown’s earliest recognized poet and a foundational civic storyteller. Held next to his gravesite, this gathering honours Lett’s legacy while creating a compelling bridge to the vibrant literary community that defines Ottawa today. In partnership with the City of Ottawa Poet Laureate David O’Meara and Blaine Marchand of the League of Canadian Poets, this event will feature: Tribute readings from Lett’s original works Contemporary poets offering response pieces that reflect Ottawa’s evolution over two centuries Under the Leaves: Poetry at Beechwood will offer an enduring space for poets, storytellers, and audiences to gather each year, exploring the intersections of heritage, identity, and artistic expression. This series creates a thoughtful cultural tradition that reflects the city’s evolving narrative and honours the voices that shape it. Join us as we honour the past, elevate today’s voices, and cultivate a new cultural tradition at Beechwood. A city’s story lives through its poets. Come experience it with us, under the leaves.