A group of 20 of the most acclaimed poets from 12 countries makes up the exciting line-up of the 15th Poetry Africa International Poetry Festival hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts.
Characterised by impressive diversity, the festival runs the gamut from sharp social and political commentary to deeply personal poetry and incendiary rap and hip-hop. Among the participants are controversial Chilean poet Raúl Zurita, cult Senegalese rapper Didier Awadi, Reunion’s Patrice Treuthardt, Botswana’s TJ Dema, Holland’s Jaap Blonk, Kenya’s Shailja Patel, Colombia’s Fernando Réndon, Nigeria’s Niyi Osundare, American Joshua Bennett, Zimbabwe’s Dikson and South Africa’s Oswald Mtshali, Dashen Naicker, Myesha Jenkins, Khadijatou, Raul Zurita, Shailja Patel, David wa Maahlamela, Mphutlane wa Bofelo and Sandile Dikeni.
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, from October 17 to 21. Festival finale at the BAT Centre on October 22. Tel: 031 260 2506 / 1816. Website: www.cca.ukzn.ac.za.