Program

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Poets on Poets

Be a fly on the wall as poets explore each other’s creative work
Poets:
Lynthia Julius (ZAF)
Jörgen Gario (SXM+NLD)
English

Dag: Friday Type: Program
Zomaargasten

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

Dag: Friday Type: Program
Hardop!

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

Dag: Friday Type: Program
The Last Poem

Wrap up the festival’s Friday with a final poem by Radmila Petrović
Poets:
Radmila Petrović (SRB)
English

Dag: Friday Type: Program
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 Type: Program
A conversation with Spinvis

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

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
Meet the Foyer

Discover the vibrant heart of the festival
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
Guiding Voices x Poetry International: Aracelis Girmay

Ernest van der Kwast in conversation with Aracelis Girmay
Poets:
Aracelis Girmay (USA)
English

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
Origin Stories

How, where, and when did these poets begin their poetic journey?
Poets:
Pia Tafdrup (DNK)
English

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
The Poetry Nail Salon

If poetry is everywhere, why not wear it on your nails?
Poets:
Dag: Saturday Type: Program
Short Reading: Aracelis Girmay, Melanie Mununggurr & Raúl Cisneros

Bite-sized readings by three festival poets
Poets:
Raúl Cisneros (PER)
Aracelis Girmay (USA)
Melanie Mununggurr (AUS)
English

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
Local Voices

Rotterdam’s got (poetic) talent
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
Buddingh’ Talent

Discover the four nominees for the 2026 C. Buddingh’ Prize
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
Writingplace x Poetry International: Poetics of Place

Poets and architects on space and imagination
Poets:
Eline van Leeuwen (NLD)
Erik Lindner (NLD)
English

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
Can you desire courage from poets?

Yousra Benfquih, Hendri Yulius Wijaya, and Iya Kiva on the poet’s responsibility
Poets:
Hendri Yulius Wijaya (IDN)
Iya Kiva (UKR)
Yousra Benfquih (BEL)
English

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
The Poetry Debate

Hosted by Ellen Deckwitz, with no room for nuance
Poets:
Caleb Femi (NGA+GBR)
Hannah K Bründl (AUT)
Joost Baars (NLD)
English

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
The Poetry Nail Salon

If poetry is everywhere, why not wear it on your nails?
Poets:
Dominique De Groen (BEL)
Dutch

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
Switch Lit x Poetry International: Mystery Poet Collab

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

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
Rozen verwelken, schepen vergaan: over poesiealbums

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

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
The Last Poem

Wrap up the festival’s Saturday with a final poem by Dalia Taha
Poets:
Dalia Taha (PSE)
English

Dag: Saturday Type: Program
The Poetry Barber

Come listen in while spoken word artist Benzokarim gets a fresh look from a Rotterdam barber
Poets:
Benzokarim (NLD)
Dutch

Dag: Sunday Type: Program
Meet the Foyer

Discover the vibrant heart of the festival
Poets:
Dutch

Dag: Sunday Type: Program

Interpreter NGT/Transcription Interpreter
This event features a sign language interpreter
Translating Together: A Live Experiment

Translate a poem together with professional translators
Poets:
English

Dag: Sunday Type: Program
The Signed Poetry Quiz

A quiz that will make you see and listen differently
Poets:
Dag: Sunday Type: Program

Interpreter NGT/Transcription Interpreter
This event features a sign language interpreter