Poetry Africa Festival 2023

Poetry Africa Festival 2023

The 27th edition of the Poetry Africa Festival is slated for October across three cities: Durban, Johannesburg, and Bloemfontein. The festival’s itinerary commences in Johannesburg on Thursday, October 5th. Progressing to Durban from October 9th to 14th, and culminating in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, October 17th, 2023. The Poetry Africa Festival is orchestrated by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

What Can I Expect From Poetry Africa Festival 2023?

Celebrating the theme “VOTE4POETRY: MORE THAN WORDS,” the festival acknowledges the pivotal role that poets’ voices undertake in fortifying and propelling the values of a constitutional democracy. The event’s program is designed to feature an assorted spectrum of established, mid-career, and emerging spoken word poets. Engaging in performances, workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, and book launches.

Siphindile Hlongwa, the curator of Poetry Africa, reflects on the festival’s significance. “For over two decades, Poetry Africa has consistently upheld its stature as a pivotal platform for contemporary spoken word poetry. Following our remarkable achievements in Durban and Johannesburg last year, expanding to Bloemfontein was a natural progression.”

In the context of Johannesburg, the Poetry Africa Festival will collaborate with the Arts & Culture Centre at the University of Johannesburg.

Commenting on Napo Masheane’s connection to the festival, Ismail Mahomed, the Director of the Centre for Creative Arts, highlights: “Napo Masheane is an alumnus of the Poetry Africa Festival, possessing a profound understanding of the event’s potential to uncover new talents while concurrently forging novel pathways for established poets. Her intention to transform the City of Roses into an environment conducive to nurturing and inclusivity is well-founded.”

The focal point of Poetry Africa’s annual calendar, the Slam Poetry Competition, holds its ground as a prominent slam event across the African Continent. A shining example is Xabiso Vili, the 2021 Poetry Africa Slam Champion, who went on to vie in the World Poetry Slam Championships in Brussels. Moreover, wiining the World Poetry Slam Championship title. The anticipation builds for Kwanele Nyembe, the 2022 Poetry Africa Slam Champion. Who is set to contend for the championship title in Brazil later this year.

Siphindile Hlongwa, an ardent promoter of the Poetry Africa brand both nationally and internationally, expresses confidence in the festival’s legacy, “Poetry Africa set an elevated benchmark at the World Slam Championship in 2022. We firmly believe that Kwanele Nyembe will continue this rich tradition.”

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