Running from 9th to 25 March, France is currently holding its 25th annual Printemps des Poètes, or Springtime Poetry Festival, a truly nationwide celebration of poetry and poets, in venues ranging from major gatherings in the cities, to more intimate readings in libraries, hospitals, prisons, gardens, bars, village halls, and even in the streets. See the listings.

This year’s theme, Grace, can be interpreted in so many ways it’s no wonder that the festival will this year be publishing not one but two anthologies, not counting all the local and regional ones. It is difficult to take in quite how enormous this event has become in the cultural consciousness of the French nation, and their Francophone friends. 

This map shows the extent of the events listed – including places like the Comoros islands, Réunion and French Guiana, yet does not include all of those which never got round to listing theirs. They haven’t even got round to putting them on our Gig Guide!

In her online introduction to the festival, France’s culture minister Rachida Dati points out how the festival continually brings new groups and individuals into poetry and related activities, from new authors and their editors, to readers and enthusiasts; and particularly the countless other related artistic and cultural events allowing young people in particular to experience contemporary French and international poetry.

More details here : Le Printemps des Poètes website. (In French)