Versopolis

Survival Instinct and other poems Poetry by Davide Castiglione Read on versopolis.com

Spring continues, poetry multiplies, and suddenly Europe feels a little more lyrical this May. 📍 Cork International Poetry Festival | 11 – 16 May In a time when language is often shaped by power and distortion, poetry remains a space of truth and resistance. This year’s festival brings together diverse voices from around the world, exploring themes of identity, love, and contemporary challenges. 📍 Barcelona Poesia | 14 – 21 May From 14 to 21 May, the city will host a vibrant poetry festival bringing together Catalan and international voices through readings, music, and literary events. Highlights include tributes to major poets, a prestigious poetry prize ceremony, and a closing international festival celebrating diverse poetic perspectives. 📍 Society of Hungarian Authors - Szépírók Társasága | 16 May In Budapest, the Society of Hungarian Authors yet again hosts one day of literary events dedicated to promoting contemporary literature and democratic cultural dialogue. 📍 vers vuur [fresh fire] — Antwerp | 22 – 23 May After three successful editions, Vers Vuur moves to De Roma. Co-curated by Antwerp city poet Esohe Weyden and under the theme of finding grounding in a rapidly changing world, the festival explores connection through diverse artistic expression, supported by strong local and international collaborations.

Tickets Poetry by Ndue Ukaj Read on versopolis.com

New podcast is out! 🎙 Lee Frankel-Goldwater is a poet, educator and social innovator whose work connects technology, ecology and community. In Lily in a Codebox (Spinning Leaf Press, 2025), co-authored with Eric Raanan Fischman, he introduces ‘cyborg poetics’. Eric Raanan Fischman is a poet and educator based in Boulder, Colorado, a graduate of Naropa University, whose work draws on Beat traditions. Lily in a Codebox is his second book. Listen to the lastest episode on versopolis.com or on your favourite podcast platform!

urban elegy Poetry by Rei F. Hodo Read on versopolis.com

#movedbyversopolis Eirikur Orn Norõdahl at Goran's Spring festival Versopolis, a European poetry platform, provides emerging European poets and poetesses with new opportunities by arranging guest appearances at various literary festivals across Europe.

In this episode of My Life with Poetry, produced by the international literary platform Versopolis, we feature Angolan-born writer and musician Kalaf Epalanga. In a thoughtful and engaging conversation, he reflects on the differences between poetic traditions in Angola and Portugal. He also shares personal perspectives on his creative process — including when and where he prefers to write, and how environment and rhythm influence his work. Kalaf Epalanga speaks candidly about his journey as a writer, including how he published his first book and offers practical and encouraging advice for young writers.

Five poems by Lidia Zadeh Petrescu Poetry by Lidia Zadeh Petrescu Read on versopolis.com

April opens a season of poetic journeys across Europe. 📍 Genoa International Poetry Festival — Genoa | 10–11 April This year, the 32nd edition of the Genoa International Poetry Festival Parole spalancate takes place—Italy’s largest and longest-running poetry festival. As a special preview, the festival presents two events featuring Versopolis poets: Efe Duyan (Turkey) and Krystyna Dąbrowska (Poland). 📍 Literature & Wine — Krems | 16–19 April In Lower Austria, Literature & Wine brings together literature and wine in a carefully curated festival setting. International and Austrian authors present their work through readings and discussions in inspiring venues such as Göttweig Abbey, Artothek NÖ, and Literaturhaus NÖ. The programme is accompanied by wines from eight wine-growing regions of Lower Austria, selected by Wein Niederösterreich, creating an atmosphere where literature and sensory experience come together. 📍 European Poet of Freedom — Gdańsk | 16–18 April The 9th edition, titled Points of Contact and curated by Magdalena Kicińska and Małgorzata Lebda, presents a programme of readings, discussions, and encounters alongside the European Poet of Freedom Literary Award. At its core, the project promotes poetry that engages with one of the defining questions of our time—freedom—while highlighting the essential role of translation. 📍 PAGE BREAK International Poetry Festival — Riga | 22–25 April PAGE BREAK International Poetry Festival is Latvia’s annual poetry event, held each spring in Riga. Organized by the Society I DID IT and initiated by poets Madara Gruntmane and Efe Duyan, it brings together international voices through readings, panels, and performances. The 2026 edition explores the theme Peace and Poetry, highlighting poetry as a space for dialogue, empathy, and coexistence.

The Shirt We Once Were Poetry by Emine Karadağ-Altay

New podcast is out! 🎙 Turner Wyatt is an award-winning social entrepreneur and one of the editors of Begin Where You Are: The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology, a newly released collection spanning over 100 years of Colorado’s most impactful poets. One of the last state laureates was the late Andrea Gibson, about whom a movie titled Come See Me in the Good Light was nominated for the Best Documentary Award at the 2026 Academy Awards. Listen to the lastest episode on versopolis.com or on your favourite podcast platform!

Notes on translating and writing between languages Author of the Week: Czech Republic by Zofia Bałdyga