Poems are for everyone, no more exclusivity. That is the idea behind the first Poetry International Festival in Rotterdam, now 55 years ago. Thus, the festival brings poetry to the people, right at the metro station and in the tram. Later, the poems are also found in the park and even on the garbage trucks.
The first Poetry International Festival in Rotterdam, in 1970, was an immediate success. It was modeled after the English example. 23 poets from about 17 countries read poems. They do this not only in the small hall of the Doelen but especially in other places in the city. Because the motto of the festival is: ‘Poetry is for all people. Away with the exclusive atmosphere surrounding the poet and his work, on the street with poetry.’
Poetry Tram on Coolsingel
And so poets read at metro station Beurs and in a ‘poetry tram’ that runs on the Coolsingel. De Bijenkorf dedicates a display window to the festival, and bookstores use wrapping paper with poems on it. Foreign workers are brought into contact with poets from their country of origin.
Politics, Pain, and Humor
There is a lot of socially engaged poetry, for example about political prisoners. But also many poems about the pain of life. And not to forget a lot of humor. Notable names that have come by over the years include Hans Dorrestijn, the South African Breyten Breytenbach, and of course Jules Deelder.
Dunya Festival
In 1977, on the first day of the festival, readings were held at the statue of the poet Hendrik Tollens in Het Park (near the Euromast). A very diverse audience was present. It was such a success that this opening day, ‘Poetry Park’, grew into the large Dunya Festival. This festival continued until 2013. Then it merged with the summer carnival into Rotterdam Unlimited.
Garbage Trucks with Poetry Lines
But it doesnt stop there. The Poetry International Foundation organizes many other projects. Such as the lines of poetry that Rotterdams garbage trucks have been driving around with since 1988. A Poetry Childrens Festival since 1997. Poetry Day and the election of the Poet Laureate since 2000. And this year, on May 14, the Bombing of Poems. From a helicopter, 100,000 poems were scattered over the Binnenrotte, in memory of the bombing of Rotterdam on May 14, 1940.
Poetry International 2025
From June 12 to 15, the 55th Poetry International will be held in Rotterdam. This anniversary edition brings together the most famous and award-winning poets during the first Poetry Summit. For more information and tickets, visit www.poetryinternational.com. Link opens an external page.