World Poetry Day 2023 is a celebration of the power of poetry to inspire, heal, and to bring people together. The theme for World Poetry Day 2023 is “Poetry for a Better World.” This theme recognizes the transformative power of poetry to inspire change, challenge the status quo, and give voice to the voiceless. It is a call to action for poets to use their words to create a better world for all.
On this day, we celebrate the diversity of voices and perspectives that make up the world of poetry, and we recognize the importance of poetry as a tool for building bridges between cultures and communities. There are so many young outstanding poets around the world who are using their words to inspire, challenge, and transform the world around them and today, we profile some of these talented poets:
Amanda Gorman – At just 23 years old, Amanda Gorman has become one of the most prominent young poets in the world. She gained international attention for her poem “The Hill We Climb,” which she performed at the inauguration of President Joe Biden in 2021. Her work explores themes of race, identity, and social justice, and she has been recognized with numerous awards for her poetry.
Koleka Putuma – Based in South Africa, Koleka Putuma is a poet, playwright, and performer who has won critical acclaim for her work. Her debut collection, “Collective Amnesia,” explores the legacy of apartheid and the ongoing struggles of black South Africans. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2018 Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry.
Sophia Thakur – Thakur, a first-generation Londoner, published her debut poetry collection, “Somebody Give This Heart a Pen,” in 2019. She has since collaborated with Calvin Klein and The Olympics, gone on three world tours, and been invited to perform on stages all over the world, including MTV, Google, Facebook, and over 70 universities.
Titilope Sonuga – Nigerian-Canadian writer, poet, playwright, and performer, Titilope Sonuga’s work grasps for moments of tenderness and persistent joy at the intersection of blackness and womanhood. She is the author of three award-winning collections of poetry, has composed and released two spoken word albums and has scripted global advertising campaigns for brands including; The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Google, Intel Corporation, Guaranty Trust Bank and The MacArthur Foundation. Her writing has been translated into Italian, German and Slovak. She is the 9th Poet Laureate of the City of Edmonton.
Warsan Shire – Born in Kenya to Somali parents and raised in the UK, Warsan Shire is a poet and writer whose work explores themes of migration, identity, and the experiences of women. She gained international attention for her poetry collection “Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth,” and her work has been featured in numerous publications and anthologies.
These are just a few examples of the many outstanding young poets around the world who are using their words to make a difference. Through their poetry, they are challenging the status quo, giving voice to the marginalized, and inspiring us all to create a better world.