World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day celebrates the cultural significance, diversity, and value of poetry, as designated by UNESCO. It aims to stimulate people around the world to appreciate poetry as a form of artistic expression that captures and interprets human feelings, thoughts and identities. It encourages the reading, writing, and teaching of poetry, particularly in schools and various social groups, and promotes the linguistic diversity through poems.

Historically, World Poetry Day was adopted by UNESCO during its 30th General Conference in Paris in 1999. For the European Union, this observance is of significant importance due to the region's rich literary history infused with a wide array of languages. In an area famed for its incredible literary figures like Dante Alighieri, William Shakespeare, Rainer Maria Rilke and many more, this observance is a fitting tribute to the existing poetry tradition and serves as motivation for future poets.

Across the European Union, World Poetry Day is celebrated in various ways. This might involve poetry readings and performances, thematic exhibitions and workshops in schools and libraries, radio, television and online broadcasts of poetry recitals, and the publication of poetry collections. It provides a platform for young, emerging, and established poets to share their work in their native languages and dialects thus promoting local cultures and traditions. World Poetry Day is celebrated globally, including in the European Union, annually on the 21st of March.