Arts and Creative Industries / Performing Arts / Beyond the poem: Supporting artists at Poetry Africa 2026

Beyond the poem: Supporting artists at Poetry Africa 2026

Arts and Creative Industries
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19 October

The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) supported the 30th edition of Poetry Africa, held from 5 to 11 October 2026 at the Playground Theatre in Durban. The annual international poetry festival, curated and presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, brought together poets, performers and literary professionals for a week of performances, discussions and creative exchange.

This year’s Poetry Africa and World Slam Poetry programme featured French-speaking poets and artists from Senegal, Morocco, Cameroon, Togo, CĂ´te d’Ivoire, Mauritania and Burkina Faso, reflecting the festival’s international character and its connections with Francophone Africa.

Alongside poetry performances, the festival presented panel discussions, school and university visits, poetry exchanges, book launches, open mic sessions and its popular slam competition.

Supporting poets beyond the creative process

As part of the festival’s Artist Entrepreneurship programme, supported by the National Arts Council (NAC), a series of discussions examined the practical, administrative and financial considerations involved in building sustainable careers in poetry and the wider creative sector.

IFAS Director Jean Spiri participated in a panel exploring artists’ mobility and the role of cultural partnerships in supporting poets beyond the creation of their work.

Facilitated by Dr Ismail Mahomed, Director of the Centre for Creative Arts, the discussion brought together Puleng Lesala from the National Arts Council, alongside artists Huda the Goddess and Xabiso Vili.

The conversation examined how funding agencies, cultural institutions and diplomatic missions can support artists throughout the creative process, from pre-production and production to distribution and international circulation.

Panellists also considered how partnerships can help address challenges in distributing creative work, providing poets with opportunities to reach new audiences, develop professional connections and participate in international exchanges.

Through its support for Poetry Africa, IFAS contributed to strengthening cultural exchange between France and Southern Africa, while supporting conversations about professional development and international opportunities for artists.

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