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The Poetry International Festival is returning for the first time since 2019, this time as part of the Southbank Centre’s season of events focused on the climate, Planet Summer.
From 21st June to 3rd September, the Southbank Centre presents Planet Summer that will explore themes of care, hope, connection and activism in response to the climate emergency
The line-up includes major eco-poets; CAConrad, John Kinsella, Olive Senior and Yang Lian presenting new work and leading workshops for the public.
The next generation of climate activist poetry is celebrated with the Gingko Prize ceremony, a major international award for ecopoetry and broadcaster Cerys Matthews revisits the fictional world of Dylan Thomas’ poem "Under Milk Wood".
Poetry International 2023 also celebrates the National Poetry Library’s 70th Birthday, the largest public collection of poetry in the world, marking 35 years at the Southbank Centre.
Former poet laureate Ted Hughes created the festival in 1967 as a response to the global polarisation of east and west during the Cold War.
Art by Post: Poems For Our Planet activity booklets, designed by artists and activists, will also be presented in an installation. The scheme, in partnership with the National Academy for Social Prescribing, provides free poetry and art activities to support anyone with long-term physical and mental health needs, and was first launched during the pandemic.
For more information, visit the Southbank Centre website.