Program

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

The State of Poetry

Nisrine Mbarki Ben Ayad on poetry (and its future)
Poets:
Nisrine Mbarki Ben Ayad (NLD)
Dutch

Dag: Friday
Tijd: 18:30 – 18:45
Type: Reading
What a Thrill. The Writer’s Guide ♥ Poetry International

Six emerging poets share their most intimate work
Poets:
Oumaima Yahiaoui (NLD)
Anissa El Mazouzi
Salma Ali
+3
Dutch

Dag: Friday
Tijd: 18:45 – 19:30
Type: Collaboration
When the City Whispers

Poetic dialogues between Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Kortrijk
Poets:
Benzokarim (NLD)
Myriem El-Kaddouri (BEL)
Esohe Weyden (BEL)
Dutch

Dag: Friday
Tijd: 19:00 – 19:45
Type: Collaboration
Meet the Foyer

Discover the vibrant heart of the festival
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Friday
Tijd: 19:30 – 19:45
Type: Collaboration
Zomaargasten

Live festival talk show – with stories of visitors (you!)
Poets:
Zomaargasten (NLD)
Dutch

Dag: Friday
Tijd: 20:00 – 20:45
Type: Program
Hardop!

Readers bring their favourite poems to life
Poets:
Iya Kiva (UKR)
Dutch

Dag: Friday
Tijd: 21:30 – 22:15
Type: Program
Workshop: Poëzieredactie

Learn to look at your own work and that of others through an editor’s eye (Separate ticket required)
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 12:30 – 14:30
Type: Workshop
VPRO Club Lees Hip-hop lecture: the sirens of rapper Ka

Mahat Arab on his favourite American rapper
Poets:
Mahat Arab (NLD+SOM)
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 12:45 – 13:30
Type: Program
A conversation with Spinvis

What does poetry mean to one of the most poetic Dutch songwriters?
Poets:
Spinvis (NLD)
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 13:00 – 13:45
Type: Program
Meet the Foyer

Discover the vibrant heart of the festival
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 13:30 – 13:40
Type: Program
Street Poetry bike ride – Rotterdam South

Join poet Wessel Klootwijk on a poetry discovery bike ride
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 14:00 – 15:30
Type: Tour
The Word Club Open Mic: Streetlife

Come listen to new voices (and share your own story!)
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 14:45 – 15:30
Type: Collaboration
Workshop: Poëzie schrijven

Turn everyday moments into poetry (Separate ticket required)
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 15:15 – 17:15
Type: Workshop
Local Voices

Rotterdam’s got (poetic) talent
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 17:45 – 18:30
Type: Program
Buddingh’ Talent

Discover the four nominees for the 2026 C. Buddingh’ Prize
Poets:
Bernice Vreedzaam
Yasmin Namavar
Sarah de Koning
+1
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 18:00 – 18:45
Type: Program
Switch-Lit x Poetry International: Mystery Poet Collab

Two well-known poets, one collaborative poem
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 20:45 – 21:30
Type: Program
Rozen verwelken, schepen vergaan: over poesiealbums

A trip down poetic memory lane with Sophie Reinders, Ellen Deckwitz and Iduna Paalman
Poets:
Iduna Paalman (NLD)
Sophie Reinders (NLD)
Ellen Deckwitz (NLD)
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 21:00 – 21:45
Type: Program
Band: RABASA

Come dance to the Cape Verdean beats!
Poets:
Rabasa (NLD+CPV)
Dutch

Dag: Saturday
Tijd: 23:00 – 23:30
Type: Music
Poetry International x Hiphophuis: Street Feminism

What does feminism sound like in hip hop? And what role does poetry play within it?
Poets:
Sherr
Ella John
Milka Martins
+2
Dutch

Dag: Sunday
Tijd: 12:30 – 13:30
Type: Collaboration
Street Poetry bike ride – Rotterdam South

Join poet Wessel Klootwijk on a poetry discovery bike ride
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Sunday
Tijd: 14:00 – 15:30
Type: Tour
Meet the Foyer

Discover the vibrant heart of the festival
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Sunday
Tijd: 14:15 – 14:30
Type: Program

Interpreter NGT/Transcription Interpreter
This event features a sign language interpreter
Uitreiking Johan Polak Poëzieprijs

Festive programme featuring winner Sarah de Koning, Sasja Janssen, Iduna Paalman, and others
Poets:
Iduna Paalman (NLD)
Sarah de Koning
Dutch

Dag: Sunday
Tijd: 14:15 – 15:00
Type: Collaboration
Het gedicht is een bericht

Unveiling the very first poetic line in sign language on a Rotterdam waste truck
Poets:
Sam Onclin (NLD)
Boaz Blume (NLD)
Dutch

Dag: Sunday
Tijd: 14:30 – 15:00
Type: Collaboration

Interpreter NGT/Transcription Interpreter
This event features a sign language interpreter
in m’n buurt

Performance packed with young talent, curated by youth Poet Laureate Oumaima Yahiaoui
Poets:
Anissa El Mazouzi
Oumaima Yahiaoui (NLD)
Lelie Danesh
Dutch

Dag: Sunday
Tijd: 15:15 – 16:00
Type: Collaboration