44th Poetry International Festival Rotterdam

March 21, 2013 Be on the lookout for world-renowned poets like Adonis from Syria, John Ashbery from the United States, and German poet Elke Erb, breathtaking poetry from China, our very own Dutch Poet Laureate Anne Vegter, VSB Poetry Prize-winner Ester Naomi Perquin, and much more. This year the 44th Poetry International Festival will also be working together with Rotterdam Unlimited, a new intercultural festival with music, dance, literature, theatre, and carnival, which has emerged from the fusion of Dunya and the Rotterdam Summer Carnival.

As always, readings from the twenty featured festival poets will form the heart of this year's Poetry International Festival. Additionally, the poets will be participating in a variety of special programs, interviews, and debates, and will also give master classes in poetry reading and writing. During the festival the C. Buddingh prize for the best Dutch poetry debut and Brockway Prize for best poetry translation from Dutch into English will be awarded. The festival opens on Tuesday, June 11 with the presentation of the twenty festival poets. We will also be celebrating the opening with a Flag Parade at Boompjes in the afternoon, and the evening opening program "You are here / Vous êtes ici", an entertaining assembly of poets and highlights from the upcoming events at the 44th Poetry International Festival.