Poetry International Festival

The Poetry International Festival returns once more to the home of the National Poetry Library, Southbank Centre.

This year’s festival weekend includes celebrations of the life and work of the trailblazing British poet Benjamin Zephaniah and the pioneering beat poet Allen Ginsberg.

The weekend kicks off with the Benjamin Zephaniah Celebration at Royal Festival Hall on Friday 10 July. An evening of poetry, music and memories celebrating the life, legacy and radical spirit of the ‘people’s poet’, featuring readings and music from broadcaster Lemn Sissay, Pauline Black, Jackie Kay and Michael Rosen.

Other festival highlights include poetry masterclasses with leading poets and live readings from exciting contemporary voices including Kim Hyseoon, Paul Muldoon, Ilya Kaminsky, Peter Gizzi, Raymond Antrobus and Denise Riley, and a closing evening at the Queen Elizabeth Hall celebrating the work of Allen Ginsberg featuring performances from some of the biggest names in music and poetry.

Amongst the extensive programme of events are a number of free events, while ticketed events start from just £11!

Fri 10 Jul, 8pm
Benjamin Zephaniah: A Celebration 
Royal Festival Hall. Tickets from £20

Sat 11 Jul, 10am
Masterclass: Raymond Antrobus 
Foyle Pavilion, Royal Festival Hall. Tickets from £27

Sat 11 Jul, 12.30pm
After Catastrophe: Futures Beyond Crisis 
Level 5 Function Room, Royal Festival Hall. Tickets from £11

Sat 11 Jul, 1pm
Masterclass: Ilya Kaminsky 
Sunley Pavilion, Royal Festival Hall. Tickets from £27

Sat 11 Jul, 2pm
Peter Gizzi & Denise Riley 
Purcell Room. Tickets from £15

Sat 11 Jul, 5.30pm
Raymond Antrobus & Ilya Kaminsky 
Purcell Room. Tickets from £15

Sat 11 Jul, 7.30pm
Maggie Nelson 
Queen Elizabeth Hall. Tickets from £22

Sun 12 Jul, 10am
Masterclass: Peter Gizzi 
Sunley Pavilion, Royal Festival Hall. Tickets from £27

Sun 12 Jul, 12.30pm
Yang Lian & Sudeep Sen: Chinese and Indian Poetry 
Level 5 Function Room, Royal Festival Hall. Tickets from £11

Sun 12 Jul, 1pm
Masterclass: Denise Riley 
Foyle Pavilion, Royal Festival Hall. Tickets from £27

Sun 12 Jul, 2pm
Batool Abu Akleen & Alice Oswald 
Purcell Room. Tickets from £15. Suitable for all ages.

Sun 12 Jul, 5.30pm
Kim Hyesoon & Paul Muldoon 
Purcell Room. Tickets from £15

Sun 12 Jul, 7.30pm
Allen Ginsberg at 100 
Queen Elizabeth Hall. Tickets from £15

Free events at Poetry International Festival

Fri 10 Jul, 7pm
Poetic Unity + Live Band 
The Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall. Entrance is free!

Sat 11 Jul, 4.30pm,
Apples and Snakes: Managers' Match 
The Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall. Entrance is free!

Sat 11 Jul, 8pm
From the Lips to the Moon 
The Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall. Entrance is free!

Sun 12 Jul, from 10am
A Poet in Every Port – London 
Queen's Walk. Suitable for all ages.

Sun 12 Jul, 1pm
Apples and Snakes Word Cup – Showcase Final 
The Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall.

Sun 12 Jul, 3.30pm
A Poet in Every Port: Live 
The Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall.