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.