Brussels will host the first ever inclusive World Championship Poetry Slam during which the 40 best slam poets from the world will compete in Kinepolis Brussels for the world title from 26 to 29 September.
The World Poetry Slam Championship is the brainchild of the World Poetry Slam Organisation (WPSO), a network that unites slammers from all over the world.
They have been working behind the scenes for two years on the preparations and made a joint charter as a starting point in which inclusion, free speech, decolonisation and LGBTQ+ rights are important values.
Belgian slam poet Philip Meersman joined forces with co-initiators Creatief Schrijven, Willemsfonds Brussel and the creative agency Hura to create a tournament that will see slam poets from 37 countries across the world, from Mexico and Chad to Madagascar and Australia, compete.
Belgium is represented by 32-year-old Marie Darah. She will try to use her words to figuratively knock out her opponents.
"We use the rules of poetry, but we don't obey them,” she said. “That artistic freedom allows you to tell your own, personal story. That's what makes it so interesting and intense to see other poets in action."
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The semi-finals will take place on 27 and 28 September and the grand final will follow on 29 September. The event will be presented in different languages and all texts will be projected in Dutch, French, English and Spanish.
The World Poetry Slam Championship also offers showcases, workshops and other activities throughout the week at various locations in Brussels.
