Both as a poet and a parliamentarian, Milton was a revolutionary. His writing has had an immense influence on literature and politics around the world, as can be seen from the towns, streets, buildings (and even craters) named after him in places as diverse as Nova Scotia, New Zealand and Mercury. Milton is still a great name but he is no longer widely read and our generation is in danger of losing sight of his remarkable legacy. We want to engage more readers with his work before it's too late.

We will connect young people around the world to collectively showcase the remarkable and often unexpected reach of Milton’s work. From a reading on the Rue Milton in Paris to a performance by pupils of the Milton State School in Queensland, we will share the reactions, words and artworks of legions of Milton’s fans (as well as those who’ve never previously read a word) to explore why Milton has mattered so much to so many for so long - and why his work continues to matter now.