See you at Poetry Festival Singapore 2026!
24 – 26 July 2026
LATEST EVENTS & NEWS
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National Poetry Competition 2026
This annual competition is organised by Poetry Festival Singapore as a platform for aspiring poets and wordsmiths to better appreciate its intricacies in the growing local literary scene.
The awards ceremony took place on Sunday, 26th July 2026, during the 2026 edition of Poetry Festival Singapore. Winning poets were invited to read their submitted poem in front of friends and family, as well as our Guest of Honour, Mr. Hitesh Sharma, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, EduPeer.
Write & Burn! 2026
Write & Burn! is a poetry performance competition organised by Poetry Festival Singapore (PFS), aimed at youth between the ages of 15 and 18 from all backgrounds and all schools, junior colleges, centralized institutions, and international schools in Singapore. Click the button below to find out more!
This year's edition of Write & Burn! is sponsored by EduPeer and the National Arts Council, in partnership with Outspoken.
Results of Write & Burn! 2026
Champion: Ariktha Choudhary (NPS International School)
1st Runner-up: Jayvier Chua Cheng Xi (Victoria Junior College)
2nd Runner-up: Evonne Toh Jie Xi (Anglo-Chinese School Independent)
This year, in partnership with EduPeer, a new award was given out — the EduPeer Award for Best Original Voice. It was awarded to two finalists, namely:
Divija (Raffles Girls' School)
Kevan Low Jun Yi (Hwa Chong Institution)
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all award recipients and finalists, and sincere appreciation to all participants, supporters, and attendees who contributed to this celebration of original spoken word poetry!
PFS 2026: Opening Ceremony
The Singapore Poetry Festival 2026 officially opened on the 24th of July at The Pod (Level 16), National Library Building. The afternoon began with an opening remarks led by Festival Director Tan Chee Lay, followed by Benedict Yu's VR poetry presentation and performances by Yong Shu Hoong, Paul Muldoon, Tracy Smith, Tony Barnstone, and Zhang Yao Tian.
Guest of Honour, Dr. Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and National Development, addressed the audience during the ceremony. He was later presented with a calligraphy scroll as a token of appreciation. The programme also included Prof. Wong Yoon Wah's keynote lecture on Nanyang poetry, a painting display by the Cebu Arts and Women's Ekphrastic Poetry Artists, and a translation panel led by Tan Chee Lay.
The Opening Ceremony brought together writers, artists, and audiences from different backgrounds, marking the start of four days of poetry, discussion, and collaboration across languages and cultures!
PFS 2026: Day 2
The second day of the Singapore Poetry Festival 2026 on 25 July transformed the National Library Building into a lively gathering place for poets, publishers, students, and readers. From morning until evening, audiences moved between sessions that celebrated poetry through conversations, performances, and shared experiences, creating an atmosphere of curiosity and exchange.
Emerging voices took centre stage alongside established writers as discussions explored the many directions poetry continues to take today. Sessions on new book releases, literary journals, bilingual publishing, and the influence of cinema offered audiences fresh perspectives on writing, publishing, and the creative process, while encouraging meaningful dialogue between speakers and participants.
The day also highlighted poetry's ability to connect people across languages and cultures. From ekphrastic poetry and cross-cultural conversations to multilingual readings and international exchanges, each session reflected the festival's commitment to showcasing diverse literary traditions and fostering connections beyond borders.
As the day's programme drew to a close, audiences left with new ideas, memorable conversations, and a deeper appreciation for the many forms poetry can take. More than a series of events, the second day reflected the spirit of the festival—bringing people together through stories, language, and a shared love for literature.
PFS 2026: Day 3
The second day of the Singapore Poetry Festival 2026 on 25 July transformed the National Library Building into a lively gathering place for poets, publishers, students, and readers. From morning until evening, audiences moved between sessions that celebrated poetry through conversations, performances, and shared experiences, creating an atmosphere of curiosity and exchange.
Emerging voices took centre stage alongside established writers as discussions explored the many directions poetry continues to take today. Sessions on new book releases, literary journals, bilingual publishing, and the influence of cinema offered audiences fresh perspectives on writing, publishing, and the creative process, while encouraging meaningful dialogue between speakers and participants.
The day also highlighted poetry's ability to connect people across languages and cultures. From ekphrastic poetry and cross-cultural conversations to multilingual readings and international exchanges, each session reflected the festival's commitment to showcasing diverse literary traditions and fostering connections beyond borders.
As the day's programme drew to a close, audiences left with new ideas, memorable conversations, and a deeper appreciation for the many forms poetry can take. More than a series of events, the second day reflected the spirit of the festival—bringing people together through stories, language, and a shared love for literature.