Return of the Poetry Arena

In 2006, Latitude Festival introduced a bold idea: a dedicated Poetry Arena. Co-curated by the festival and Luke Wright, over the next eleven years it became the biggest poetry gig in Europe, hosting more than 500 poets from across the world and helping spark the spoken-word revival that swept the UK in the noughties. The stage welcomed legendary voices including Patti Smith, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Benjamin Zephaniah and Wendy Cope, as well as the last three UK Poets Laureate. It also helped launch the careers of modern stars such as Hollie McNish and Kae Tempest. Now, to celebrate 20 years of Latitude Festival, the Poetry Arena returns for one night only. One night. One stage. The Poetry Arena is back.

For this year, Luke Wright will host a stellar lineup which includes Hollie McNish, Joelle Taylor, Salena Godden, John Osborne, Tim Clare, Georgie Jones, Bradley Taylor, Kate Ireland and Hannah Jane Walker.