NationalPoetryDayis a mass participation campaign that inspires people in the UK and beyond to enjoy, discover and sharepoems.Everyone is invited to join in, whether by organising events, displays, competitions or by simply posting favourite lines ofpoetryon social media using #nationalpoetryday.
Thousands of schools take the opportunity to celebrate with events, special activities andpoetryreading and writing. Over half a million children in the UK took part inNationalPoetryDayin 2017, and it is expected that even more young people will be involved in 2018.
NationalPoetryDaywas founded in 1994 by the charity Forward Arts Foundation, whose mission is to celebrate excellence inpoetryand increase its audience. TheDayenjoys the support of the BBC, Arts Council England, the Royal Mail and leading literary and cultural organisations, alongside booksellers, publishers, libraries and schools.
NationalPoetryDay has its own team of Ambassadors, inspiringpoetswho bringpoetryto new and young audiences - in schools, in bookshops, in libraries, in public squares. From well-established favourites such as Brian Moses, Michaela Morgan and Roger Stevens, to rising stars Victoria Adukwei Bulley and Remi Graves, they are busy not just on NationalPoetryDay but all year round.