Renée Sarojini Saklikar has been selected as the inaugural Poet Laureate for Surrey. Renée is the author of children of air india, un/authorized exhibits and interjections which won the Canadian Authors Award for best book of Canadian poetry to be published in English and was a finalist for the B.C. Book prize Dorothy Livesay award. She is also the co-editor of the anthology The Revolving City: 51 Poems and the Stories Behind Them. This anthology includes poetry performed during Lunch Poems at SFU, a poetry reading series that Renée helped to establish.

"A strong foundation of arts and culture is the hallmark of a thriving City,"; said Mayor Linda Hepner."; As Surrey's first Poet Laureate, Renée Sarojini Saklikar will creatively engage and connect with our community and will be a strong advocate for literacy and the literary arts.";

Renée is one of three National Advocates for The Writer's Union of Canada and a member of the League of Canadian Poets. Her poetry investigates, celebrates, and memorializes the poetry of place, particularly those stories integral to arrival, departure, settlement, and diaspora. Renée will work to create a legacy program of poetry-outreach that is multi-lingual and inter-cultural, in partnership with local organizations in Surrey. She is interested in furthering grass-roots connections with youth, senior, and community groups.

"We're excited to welcome Renée as the Poet Laureate for Surrey,"; said Meghan Savage, Information Services Librarian at Surrey Libraries and Poet Laureate Project Coordinator. "Renée demonstrates a strong passion and enthusiasm for connecting the people of Surrey through poetry.";