Published: 6 May 2010
by AMAH-ROSE McKNIGHT

IT provided a backdrop for the creation of some of the most beautiful poetry ever written in the English language – and now Hampstead’s Keats House will inspire another poet.

The house, where John Keats lived between 1818 and 1820, has opened its doors to poet Rommi Smith as part of a festival of Keat’s life. Rommi, who has also been artist in residence at the Houses of Parliament, will be using letters written by the poet to his next door neighbour and first love Fanny Brawne as inspiration for writing workshops in the rooms whose walls saw Keats write such classics as “Ode To A Nightingale”, “Ode To A Grecian Urn” and “La Belle Dame Sans Merci”.

Her work at Parliament was part of the celebrations to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.

She said: “I was shown artefacts relating to it – they included a 2,000 name petition by the people of Manchester against slavery, and the act signed by King George making the buying or selling of human beings illegal.”

Rommi said she hoped the month-long festival would bring the poet to life. She said: “My role is about young people and celebrating Keats in the 21st century. We will be celebrating his legacy to life.”

And she added that she had been inspired by the tragic circumstances of Keats’s life. Ridden with tuberculosis, he left London for warmer climes and never returned, dying aged 25 in Italy.

Rommi added: “It really resonates that Keats never found recognition for his work in his lifetime, and he even told friends to destroy any trace of him on his death. It is fascinating to be able to explore his work and his wonderful letters to Fanny Brawne.”

She added that there were lessons from his life that could be heeded today.

“He never had plaudits or was lauded,” she added. “He did not see people’s responses to his work.

This says to artists and writers to seize the time, that our creativity is something we should hold on to and express.”

She added that the home in Keats Grove, recently restored, offered further inspiration.

She said: “The house is a muse to Keats’s work. The very fact you can work in the house, and see the letters written to Fanny Brawne, is incredible. It is about going into a space and listening back to the 18th century.”

• The festival runs from  May 8-June 13 at Keats House, Keats Grove, Hampstead, NW3, 
020 7332 3868, keatshouse@ cityoflondon.gov.uk