Name: "The Minister of Loneliness"
Uploaded: 2025-11-21T14:28:11Z
Duration: 4 min 40 s
Description: Sarah Kay performs "The Minister of Loneliness," a heartwarming poem imagining what life would look like if homes were connected with tin-can telephone strings, creating a universe of curiosity, joy and connection.

Sarah Kay: "The Minister of Loneliness"

"The Minister of Loneliness"

Sarah Kay performs "The Minister of Loneliness," a heartwarming poem imagining what life would look like if homes were connected with tin-can telephone strings, creating a universe of curiosity, joy and connection. 

When Japan faced more suicides in October 2020 than COVID-19 deaths that year, a fictional minister of loneliness rewired society with wonder and care. In this reimagined country, everyone’s window is linked by string and tin cans, fostering quirky conversations and meaningful bonds. Children and elders share daily stories, no one eats alone, and even grief finds company. Connection becomes the fabric of daily life, gently shifting focus from isolation to shared curiosity.