EK Pole is an esteemed poet who has spent her entire life in Fitzrovia. Her literary journey is highlighted by her close association with renowned poet SK Dennings, from whom she borrowed the K in her name, (previously she had been EL Pole).
Cobbled streets wind ’round Fitzrovia’s soul,
A labyrinth of history and grace.
Where tales of bygone days and dreams unroll,
In every corner, memories embrace.
In Percy Street, a culinary dance,
Restaurants serving flavours from afar.
A gastronomic journey, a chance,
To savour global tastes beneath each star.
The Pollock’s Toy Museum, a charming sight,
A world of play preserved through time’s embrace.
With vintage wonders filling hearts with light,
A glimpse of childhood’s joy in every case.
Fitzrovia, a realm of endless art,
A symphony of life that fills the heart.
Exploring Cobbled streets wind ’round Fitzrovia’s soul,
By Dr Sarah Crowe
Nestled within the heart of London, Fitzrovia is a neighbourhood that beckons the curious wanderer to unravel its intricate melange of history, culture and cuisines. The cobbled streets that wind through it are not actual cobbled streets, except for Goodge Place, but rather conduits of time, inviting us to delve into the past while savoring the present. In this exploration, we embark on a poetic journey through Fitzrovia, where every corner resonates with memories and where culinary experiences are as vibrant as the stories embedded in its streets.
To me, having lived here for well over twenty years, the very term Fitzrovia conjures notions of labyrinthine complexity—a befitting description that encapsulates both the physical layout of the neighborhood and the layers of history that have accumulated over time[2]. It may be a cliche, but these streets we love weave together the narratives of generations, each step unrolling tales of bygone days and dreams long held. The narrow alleys like Percy Passage whisper stories of lives lived and possibilities realized, inviting us to navigate the past as we traverse the present[1][3].
On Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia’s rich origami unfolds in the form of a culinary dance that transcends geographical boundaries[5]. The restaurants that line the street serve as portals to far-off lands, offering a gastronomic journey that jumps borders. Each dish is a testament to the global connectivity of our times, a chance to savor the world’s flavors beneath the embrace of London’s starlit sky[4][6]. Here, Fitzrovia becomes a hub where cultures converge, reflecting the vibrant mosaic of the modern urban experience.
Yet, Fitzrovia’s allure goes beyond its culinary delights, reaching back to the cherished remnants of childhood. The Pollock’s Toy Museum, a hidden gem, preserves the essence of play and innocence through the passage of time[7]. Within its walls, vintage wonders evoke a sense of nostalgia, inviting visitors to reconnect with the joys of their youth. Each exhibit is a testament to the enduring power of play, a reflection of the neighborhood’s commitment to preserving the heartwarming traces of its history.
But in our much-loved Fitzrovia, art emerges as a cornerstone, interwoven with the very essence of life[8]. The neighborhood stands as a testament to the philosophy of the flâneur—a concept borrowed from Walter Benjamin’s musings—a figure who immerses themselves in the urban spectacle, both consuming and producing artistic experiences[9]. Fitzrovia’s streets themselves become canvases, where the brushstrokes of time and creativity blend to form a realm of endless artistic expression.
As our poetic odyssey through Fitzrovia draws to a close, we find ourselves resonating with the final lines of the poem: “A symphony of life that fills the heart.” Fitzrovia is not merely a geographic entity; it is a living, breathing entity that takes memory, culture, and art and moulds them into something harmonious[9]. Through its streets, cuisines, vintage treasures, and artistic spirit, Fitzrovia invites us to explore the essence of urban life and find resonance with the music that pulsates through its very soul.
[1]: Smith, J. R. (2009). Unearthing the Urban Palimpsest: The Poetics of Memory in the Città Aperta. Modern Language Quarterly, 70(2), 171-190.
[2]: de Certeau, M. (1984). The Practice of Everyday Life. University of California Press.
[3]: Hartog, F. (2003). Regimes of Historicity: Presentism and Experiences of Time. Columbia University Press.
[4]: Appadurai, A. (1988). How to Make a National Cuisine: Cookbooks in Contemporary India. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 30(1), 3-24.
[5]: Weiss, B. (2006). Street food: Culinary carnival or gastronomic repression? Anthropology of Food, (5).
[6]: Buck-Morss, S. (1989). The Flâneur, the Sandwichman and the Whore: The Politics of Loitering. New German Critique, (48), 67-103.
[7]: Benjamin, W. (2002). The Arcades Project. Harvard University Press.
[8]: Lyotard, J. F. (1984). The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. University of Minnesota Press.
[9]: Benjamin, W. (1985). Charles Baudelaire: A Lyric Poet in the Era of High Capitalism. Verso.
