Calling all poets and wordsmiths!
applications for the 2025 POETRY SLAM open now!
Our slam is a competition of poetry as performance, a celebration of beats, verse, quips and rhythms, that take poems from the page to the stage.
Hosted by Penny Ashton as part of the World of Words programme, the WOMAD Poetry Slam 2025 will showcase performance poets, putting them in the spotlight on the World of Words Stage, Kunming Garden.
SUBMISSION CRITERIA
- You must have a poem of 3 minutes or less to submit via video.
- Your poem must be an original piece.
-You must own the rights to use all music & images in your submission video.
THE SLAM SCHEDULE
Saturday, March 15
The contestants will deliver their original spoken words in the hope of being crowned the WOMAD Slam Champ. WOMAD audience response plays an essential role in the judges’ scoring - so get along and cheer on this poetic fiesta.
Up for grabs are two three day VIP WOMAD 2026 tickets!
Poets will be judged on:
- Execution
- Content
- Audience response
Sunday, March 16
The WOMAD Slam Champ will perform their winning piece, followed by a slam session from our world-renowned judges and seasoned slammers.
APPLY HERE