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Leaf through autumn's poetry events


As we roll into September, the National Poetry Library has a trove of literary treats in store.

Don't miss a brand-new art commission located on the wall of the Royal Festival Hall, our monthly Special Edition series and a fantastic line-up of events in this year's London Literature Festival.

Keep reading to discover more.


Poetry in motion

Image of the outer wall of the Royal Festival Hall displaying a line from a Lemn Sissay poem.

Lemn Sissay: 70

UNTIL SUN 8 SEP

This summer, we’re making poetry happen in a big way with a brand-new commission from poet Lemn Sissay, celebrating 70 years of the National Poetry Library.

Find out more


Special Editions

NPL Special Edition - September 2024

Special Edition: Other Languages, Othered Worlds

WED 4 SEP

Five poets present work which traverses linguistic boundaries, disrupting the social order through the inclusion of languages other than English.

Performers and balloons on stage

Special Edition: The Last Dance

WED 2 OCT

Celebrate the privilege and process of ageing and building community in this poetry session for International Day of the Older Person and National Poetry Day.



Making Poetry

Explore poetry off the page in Astra Papachristodoulou’s debut solo exhibition, where poems exist as sculpture, objects and textiles.

Making Poetry: Astra Papachristodoulou

UNTIL SUN 5 JAN

Explore poetry off the page in Astra Papachristodoulou’s debut solo exhibition, where poems exist as sculpture, objects and textiles.

Book now
A pile of Jenga bricks scattered on the ground, with lines of poetry carved into the wood.

Making Poetry: Experimenting with Interactivity

SAT 21 SEP

Make your own interactive poems in a workshop led by poet and artist Astra Papachristodoulou.


Blackboard covered in writing in white chalk with fragments of paper and material partially obscuring the words.

Making Poetry: Creating Banner Poems

SUN 20 OCT

Create your own protest banner poems in a workshop led by poet and artist Astra Papachristodoulou.


Join the library today

Gain access to the largest public collection of modern poetry in the world for free

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London Literature Festival

A selection of books at the National Poetry Library Open Day

Poetry Day!

SAT 26 OCT

On the theme of ‘spoken word’, the National Poetry Library’s annual poetry day features readings and a workshop, and shows off the collection’s hidden gems.

Lemn Sissay smiling and wearing a blue jumper against a black background.

The People’s Favourite Poets

SAT 26 OCT

Lemn Sissay introduces an evening of readings by favourite poets, as chosen by you, to celebrate the National Poetry Library’s 70th birthday.

Pencil drawing of a squirrel clinging to a tree.

DH Lawrence Celebration

WED 30 OCT

We shine a spotlight on the writer’s poetry at an evening including a new artistic response to his work by poet Isobel Dixon and artist Douglas Robertson.

A group of people standing on stage, one holding flowers and speaking into a micropone

New Poets Collective Showcase

SUN 27 OCT

Get a glimpse of the exceptional talent and creativity of our 2023/24 New Poets Collective, as they share their work from a year of honing their craft.




National Poetry Library merchandise

For the love of poetry 

At the National Poetry Library, we proudly house the world’s largest public collection of modern poetry, curated by our expert librarians. Share your passion with exclusive National Poetry Library merchandise, available to buy at our online shop.




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Poet Raymond Antrobus sits on a doorstep wearing green shorts, white tshirt and sleeveless jacket.

Raymond Antrobus: Signs, Music

WED 4 SEP

The poet and author launches his new collection, exploring masculinity and fatherhood through lyric sequences, in conversation with poet Victoria Adukwei Bulley.

This event is a Relaxed Performance.

This event is British Sign Language interpreted (BSL).


A woman in a pink top is smiling and chatting with another person in a dimly lit, lively environment.

Creative Encounters

FROM WED 25 SEP

Find a creative home in the heart of the city with live music, workshops, hands-on creative challenges, poetry from the National Poetry Library, and plenty of things to make and do while you meet new people. Creative Encounters take place one Wednesday a month – check the website for dates and details.



From our friends

The Poetry Pharmacy Live, with Stephen Fry

TUE 10 SEP | ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY

An unmissable evening celebrating the power of poetry, with Stephen Fry in conversation with William Sieghart – author of the bestselling The Poetry Pharmacy – plus a host of secret guests giving marvellous poetry readings, including Harriet Walter, Gloria Obianyo and Denise Gough.

Book now

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