The biggest ever Nottingham Poetry Festival gets underway this Friday 7 June kicking off 10 days of spoken word from the city’s thriving creative scene, along with an impressive line up of national headliners.
Friday 7 June – Sunday 16 June 2024
Performances from renowned poets Linton Kwesi Johnson, Hollie McNish, Michael Pederson, Luke Wright, Anthony Joseph and Henry Normal sit side by side with talented local poets from a host of spoken word collectives.
While some events have sold out, there’s still loads of performances, workshops, panel discussions and other activities to come and enjoy across the city’s libraries, galleries, theatres, pubs and cafes. Look out for the festival programme available in venues or check out the website for full listings.
This year the Nottingham Poetry Festival also wants to fill the streets with poetry and is calling on everyone to get involved. On 15 June, the festival will attempt to break the record for the longest street poem in the world.
Local artists and writers will be writing down original verse in chalk to create a community poem with a difference that will showcase the best of the city, and is supported and sponsored by It’s In Nottingham.
To be part of history in the making, everyone is invited to submit up to three lines of original poetry online before 9 June, starting with the words ‘We are Nottingham’. To take part, go to https://
Nottingham Poetry Festival said: “We aim to fill the streets with poetry and for once the poets are being literal! Join us as we attempt to break the record for the longest street poem in the world. On Saturday 15th June, 10 am – 5 pm, we’ll be right outside Nottingham Central Library where you can read the words as they are written live on the pavement and take part in a truly unique poetry festival event.”
Sponsors Castle Rock Brewery will be giving discounted treats in their pubs throughout the festival, including 10 percent off food and drink. Just pick up a programme to find out how to take up the offer.
The festival will be raising money for Nottingham Street Aid, which helps homeless people in the city, helping them to find more secure accommodation and supporting them to rebuild their lives.
The festival has been awarded National Lottery Project Funding by Arts Council England and is supported by It’s in Nottingham, NTU, Confetti Media Group and Castle Rock Brewery.
