Poetry & Performance

Poetry & Performance

Our line-up this year is a brilliant demonstration of everything exciting in UK poetry: diverse, eclectic in form and content, and ranging from ‘the best words, in the best order’ (to quote John Donne) to poems which demand to be spoken and lifted from the page completely.

Poets at the top of their game who’ll appear include Michael Ondaatje, Paul Muldoon, Liz Lochhead, Gerald Murnane, Jenni Fagan, Roger McGough, Hollie McNish, Andrew McMillan, Jay Bernard, Salena Godden, and Lemn Sissay. First collections from Vanessa Kisuule, and Iona Lee are not to be missed, as well as a celebration of the 10th Edwin Morgan Poetry Award.

Scots poetry is in rude health, with the fabulous Len Pennie’s bestselling Poyums and Shane Strachan’s DWAMS blowing in strongly from the North East. And in a special event, the English language work of the late Aonghus Dubh (‘Black Angus’) will be reflected upon by Colin Bramwell and Gerda Stevenson.

Scotland’s Makar Kathleen Jamie publishes – astonishingly – her first full-length collection in Scots this year. In celebration of the culmination of her Makar term, we are thrilled to present Lone Tree, an entirely unique commission of her poems interpreted and set to music by award-winning experimental composer, David Paul Jones.

Poetry and music are in harmony elsewhere in the programme, as Transcendent Sound brings together virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie and award-winning poet Raymond Antrobus in a unique, magical event. In My Mind There Is a Room sees Mull Historical Society’s Colin MacIntyre set a full album of Scottish writers’ work to music, with live readings, and the wonderful Rachel Sermanni joins us for an evening of songs and creativity.

And we’re extremely excited that Push the Boat Out festival will host a special edition of their Open Mic Night, Rock the Boat, in the Spiegeltent. Why not sign up and share your own poetry - go on, we’d love to hear it!

 

Loud Poets Grand Slam Final 2024

Saturday 10 August 14:00 - 16:00

  • Attend in person
New to spoken word? This is poetry like you’ve never experienced it. There’s stomping, swearing, shouting, laughter. Loud Poets are back for another epic showdown after their amazing award-winning Slam Series last year…
 

Michael Ondaatje: Roots and Restlessness

Saturday 10 August 17:00 - 18:00

  • Watch online
If you know Michael Ondaatje’s beautiful, lyrical fiction, you won't be surprised to learn that over 50 years ago the Booker Prize-winner of The English Patient began his career as a poet. Today, in a special digital event, Ondaatje shares his first…
 

John Burnside: A Celebration

Saturday 10 August 17:00 - 18:00

  • Attend in person
In this special event, we come together to celebrate Burnside’s incredible artistic achievements featuring readings, discussions, and recollections from those close to both the man and his work…
 

Poetry for the People

Saturday 10 August 18:45 - 19:45

  • Attend in person
An all-star line-up representing some of the most exciting writers of the form, it’s a night of celebration with: Caleb Femi, Salena Godden, Vanessa Kisuule, Iona Lee, Holly Pester, Michael Mullen and Sam Riviere. Chaired by Nasim Rebecca Asl…
 

Julie McNeill & Rose Reilly: The Beautiful Game

Sunday 11 August 11:45 - 12:45

  • Attend in person
Julie McNeill pays homage to the adrenaline-pumping highs and tear-jerking lows that define Scottish football in We Are Scottish Football, presenting captivating poems alongside striking photography. Today the Poet-in-Residence for St Mirren Football…
 

Joelle Taylor: Literary Fireworks

Sunday 11 August 15:15 - 16:15

  • Attend in person
Joelle Taylor’s C+nto & Othered Poems won the T S Eliot Prize for Poetry along with the Polari Prize. Her gift for expressing the unsayable in arresting, lyrical language shines in her first novel, The Night Alphabet. It’s a spellbinding tale that roves…
 

Salena Godden & Hannah Lavery: Poetry for the Future

Sunday 11 August 17:00 - 18:00

  • Attend in person
Edinburgh Makar Hannah Lavery opened our 2022 Festival with the poem ‘Edinburgh is a Story’. It features in Lavery’s new collection, Unwritten Women, alongside other poems inspired by the city. Beloved author Salena Godden also returns with a new…
 

Aniefiok Ekpoudom & Vanessa Kisuule: In Harmony

Sunday 11 August 17:15 - 18:15

  • Attend in person
Music is our shared home. In Where We Come From, journalist Aniefiok Ekpoudom journeys across Britain to celebrate the UK’s rap and grime communities. In Neverland, poet Vanessa Kisuule explores the joys and perils of musical fandom in her non-fiction…