World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day History

World Poetry Day symbolises the celebration of creativity, language, and expression which recognises and promotes the use of poetry. Declared by UNESCO, the day aims to support the linguistic diversity found in society, thereby ensuring that people are able to communicate in their mother language. Poetry is an art form that bridges gaps and promotes constructive dialogue among cultures, creating an enriched exchange of human experiences and ideas.

The notion of World Poetry Day was first proposed at the 30th General Conference in Paris in 1999 and since then, it has been celebrated worldwide every year. For South Africans, the day holds a special significance as the country has a rich and diverse pool of languages, cultures, and oral traditions. Poetry has always been an essential medium for communicating personal, social, and political issues in South Africa, playing a crucial role during the anti-apartheid movement and in the current contemporary issues concerning politics, wealth inequality, and gender issues in the country.

In South Africa, World Poetry Day is commemorated with a range of activities including poetry readings, workshops, performances, and competitions in various languages to promote and appreciate local and international poets. This day serves as an essential platform to honour the contribution of significant South African poets such as Keorapetse Kgositsile, Mongane Wally Serote, Antjie Krog among others, and motivate the future generation to embrace this engaging art form. Annually, World Poetry Day is observed on the 21st of March, encouraging South Africans to engage in poetry to foster creative expression and linguistic diversity.

Top 9 Facts for 2026 World Poetry Day in South Africa

• In South Africa, World Poetry Day on 21 March carries a unique weight as it coincides with Human Rights Day, a public holiday that often leads to a powerful intersection of literary events and social justice commemorations across the country.
• The 29th edition of the Time of the Writer festival in Durban, a UNESCO City of Literature, is scheduled to take place from 23 to 28 March 2026 under the evocative theme Ink-stitutional Power.
• Aspiring and established poets across the nation are expected to engage heavily with the AVBOB Poetry Project, which continues its massive annual competition under the "golden thread" theme I Wish I’d Said, offering a platform for works in all 11 official South African languages.
• The Johannesburg Festival of Women Writers will precede the day on 7 and 8 March with the theme Inyathi Ibuzwa Kwabaphambili, a proverb emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom from those who came before.
• Cape Town will host the Open Book Youth Fest from 16 to 23 March 2026, featuring prominent local voices such as Siphokazi Jonas and Zizipho Bam to inspire the next generation of storytellers.
• Significant academic interest is anticipated around Ingrid Jonker’s iconic protest work The child who was shot dead by soldiers at Nyanga, as it remains a focal point of the national senior certificate poetry curriculum for the 2026 academic year.
• A dedicated event titled Poetic Symphony – 2nd Edition is set to be staged on the day of the observance to celebrate the fusion of spoken word and musical performance.
• Many South Africans will likely explore the legacy of the late Keorapetse Kgositsile, the country’s first National Poet Laureate, whose work remains a cornerstone of the nation's literary heritage and identity.
• While UNESCO does not always designate a singular annual theme, the 2026 focus on Linguistic Diversity and the Support of Endangered Languages resonates deeply with South African efforts to preserve the Khoe and San languages through modern poetic expression.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for World Poetry Day

Top things to do in South Africa for World Poetry Day

• Read up about riddles, rhymes, limericks and sonnets and then try to write your very own original poem. Once written, share it on social media as a picture or a note.
• Go see a poetry slam show. It is often a dramatic performance in which poets recite their poetry. It is considered to be one of the most interesting ways of engaging poetry.
• Attend the Dancing in Other Words Poetry Festival: This event is held in Stellenbosch, and gathers poets from around the world for performances, discussions, and seminars, celebrating the importance and impact of poetry.
• Read a book learn more about Poetry in South Africa:
  The New Century of South African Poetry - by Michael Chapman
  Voices from Within: Black Poetry from Southern Africa - by Mafika Gwala