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
"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
"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.
"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 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.
"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 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 Information
All meals and transfers provided
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 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 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 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.
There will be no other transfers available.
Distance from Monolithos to Airport is 60 minutes,
and to Rhodes town centre: 90 minutes
