Saturday, 22 November, 11:00-16:30
Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion St, London WC1R 4RL
On Saturday, 22 November 2025, the British Haiku Society gathered at Conway Hall, London, to celebrate a remarkable milestone—the Society’s 35th Anniversary AGM and Winter Gathering. The event brought together 23 members for a day filled with poetry, reflection, and shared memories.
The morning began with a cheerful meet-and-greet over tea & coffee, giving members a chance to reconnect and welcome new faces before the formal proceedings began. During the AGM, attendees accepted the Officers’ Reports (motioned by David Bingham and seconded by Andrew Shimield), and the meeting concluded with a friendly Q&A session, allowing members to discuss plans and projects for the coming year.
Following the AGM, the Winter Gathering opened with a truly special performance. We were honoured to welcome Mariko Kitakubo—renowned Japanese poet, author of six tanka books, and President and co-founder of the Tan-Ku Association—who gave a captivating recital of Tan-Ku, accompanied by live music. Mariko, together with Iliyana, offered an inspiring introduction to this innovative poetic form, enriching our understanding and appreciation through vivid examples and heartfelt delivery:
A Whiff of Winter
scent
of agarwood―
without knowing
slipping through
the unguarded gate (Mariko)
autumn twilight
the innkeeper’s Crocs
covered in thin snow (Iliyana)
After a convivial lunch, members reconvened for the 35th Anniversary Sharing Session, a relaxed and joyful space where participants read poems from the BHS journal, shared memories, and reflected on their journeys with haiku over the years. To help everyone get to know one another better, attendees were also invited to share two things people might not know about them, adding warmth and laughter to the room. The atmosphere throughout was one of camaraderie and celebration—a fitting tribute to the Society’s enduring spirit and creative community.
The event also featured a small bookshop, giving members the opportunity to display and sell their own works, further highlighting the breadth of talent within the Society. With conversation, and poetry flowing freely, the day was a beautiful reminder of the connections and inspiration that BHS continues to nurture, 35 years on.
To conclude the gathering on a truly festive note, members joined together to celebrate the Society’s 35th anniversary with a special cake and a joyful round of “Happy Birthday, BHS!”—a sweet and memorable finale to a wonderful day.
Write-up by Iliyana Stoyanova; images by Mariko Kitakubo & Iliyana Stoyanova
