Poetry and Spoken Word at DBF23

We at the Dublin Book Festival are so excited to bring you yet another year of fantastic and diverse poetry events! From spoken word to poets in conversation, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s a little round-up of just some of the poetry we are bringing you next month.

During the Dublin Book Festival week, in partnership with Poetry Ireland, we will be hosting two very special Poetry Ireland Introductions I Céadlinte Showcases on both Thursday 9th November, 6:00 pm and Friday 10th November, 8:15pm in the Glass Mask Theatre on Dawson Street. These events will showcase 14 of the most exciting new poets writing in English and Irish on the island of Ireland today. Stepping to the stage with work that is fresh, accomplished, and fully formed, these poets represent the electrifying future of Irish poetry. Thursday TICKETS HERE – Friday TICKETS HERE (with special guest Inua Ellams)

Yairen Jerez Columbié

What better way to spend your lunchtime than by listening to wonderful poetry from around the world? Lunchtime Poetry Readings from Around the World shares poetry from Iraqi poet Majed Mujed, with translator Mustafa Keshkeia, Irish poet Annemarie Ní Chuirreáin and Cuban poet Yairen Jerez Columbié in both English and their native languages. Join us at this drop-in event at the Chester Beatty on Friday 12th November, 12:00pm.

And for some poetry discussion be sure to hang around right after for Shifting Poetic Landscapes at 1:00pm. Poets Kimberly Campanello, Gail McConnell and Thembe Mvula will be in conversation with academic Tapasya Narang about how spaces and access have shifted within the poetic landscape with regards to including the voices of marginalised identities and exploring what it means to nurture and develop your voice as a contemporary poet. TICKETS HERE

Be there to hear New Voices in poetry as Majella Kelly and Mark Ward discuss their debut poetry collections with Dani Gill. TICKETS HERE

Inua Ellams – Photo by: Adama Jalloh

ANONYMS, is a very unique interactive event hosted by poet, playwright and screenwriter Inua Ellams, a rich, invasive and poignant exploration into what we are called, and why. In parts of West Africa it is believed children grow to embody their names; that a child named Peace will grow up to radiate serenity. Other West Africans think this is rubbish, but how do we come to be named? What then do we inherit? Do names change us? Who cares? And why should we? Inua will be joined by 9 insightful guests including writers Liz Houchin, John Cummins, Kimberly Campanello, Dafe Orugbo, Anja Murray, Ashwin Chacko, Yukiko Duke, Thembe Mvula and Leon Diop. TICKETS HERE

If you want to join us to hear the best wordsmiths in town, come along to Talkatives, where poets, spoken word artists, and rappers will go head-to-head in a classic poetry SLAM style competition, all slam rules apply. However, this Talkatives competition has a great twist, all the competitors will be past winners including: Salamay, The Poet Geoff, Cormac Fitz, Leon Dunne, Kestine, Jamie and Freddy Black. Watch them compete for a prize of 500 euro and the prestige of being the best of the best Talkative on Thursday 9th November, 8:30pm! TICKETS HERE

If you’re looking for something a little quieter, maybe Breda Wall Ryan‘s poetry walk out in the beautiful National Botanic Gardens on Sunday 12th November might be the event for you? TICKETS HERE

We are also delighted to be hosting a (currently sold out) very special celebration of the late and much-loved poet Brendan Kennelly with Dub-lines: An afternoon of conversation, readings and music celebrating Brendan Kennelly and his Dublin life on Sunday 12th November, 3:00pm. Born and reared in Kerry,  he spent most of his writing life in Dublin and enjoyed the weft and weave of the city he called home. Over the afternoon, Paula Meehan, Rachael Hegarty, writer and filmmaker Alan Gilsenan,  TCD colleague and poet, Gerald Dawe, poet Katie Donovan, poet Gerard Smyth and friend Des Geraghty will read his poems and explore his legacy. Also joining us will be musicians Lisa Lambe and Steve Cooney.

As always, visit the Dublin Book Festival website to see the full round-up of Poetry and Spoken word events happening at this year’s festival.