The National Poetry Library Open Day

The annual open day is a chance to view the rarities, hidden gems and new acquisitions from the largest public collection of modern poetry in the world.

You can be among the first to take part in The 70-Poet Challenge, a new project to discover the most exciting poets currently performing and writing today.

Also discover genres such as sound poetry, ecopoetry and ensemble poetry and key moments in poetry such as the London poetry scene in the 2010s, the BBC programme Caribbean Voices which ran from 1943-1958 and current poetry from Aotearoa.

Works on display come from a range of writers and performers including Jason Allen-Paisant, Louise Bennett, Edward Kamau Brathwaite, Martin Carter, Tim Tim Cheng, Henri Chopin, Peter Doig, John Giorno, Lily Greenham, Paolo Javier, Jan Jelinek, The Last Poets, Mica Levi, Una Marson, Shala Miller, Ntozake Shange and Derek Walcott.

Activities

Check out the Poetry Library curated displays: view the rarities, hidden gems and new acquisitions from the largest public collection of modern poetry in the world.

Write your own poem: Create your own 70-word poem, with the support of Keith Jarrett, UK Poetry Slam champion and FLUPP International Poetry Slam winner.

Booth of Truth: Record your 70-word poem, get it cut to vinyl to take away! Facilitated by Pearl Home Records. For ages 16+

Record Sleeve Making: DIY your own vinyl sleeve cover. Under 16’s must be supervised by an adult.

Poetry Live readings (1pm – 2pm): Hear brilliant new poetry by up-and-coming poets from Griots Well collective, a development programme for Black and ethnically diverse poets over the age of 25.