Poetry is back. In recent years, there has been a burst of interest in slam poetry and spoken word, and Belgium is no exception. Bringing together local talent and international names, all while staying true to the genre’s ethos of socially conscious art, VIERNULVIER’s first spoken word festival Word of Mouth will take place in Ghent from 4 to 10 November.
Listening Session
4.11.24 in English, 06.11.24 in Dutch, 08.11.24 in French
Free for Different Class members
Ghent, Vooruit (VIERNULVIER)
Representative of Belgium's linguistic diversity, three Listening Sessions, where singular poets are given carte blanche, will take place during the festival: one in French, one in Dutch, and one in English. Marc Kelly Smith, a Chicago-born poetry veteran and founder of the poetry slam movement will perform during the sessions.
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Spoken Words For The Future
05.11.2024, free for Different Class members
Ghent, Minard (VIERNULVIER) – in English
An evening for those curious about the history of spoken word and the Word of Mouth festival itself, where we will unpack the genre inside and out, from its roots in the US and the UK to its current development in Belgium. Evening co-curator, organiser and researcher Samira Saleh will give a keynote presentation, and the evening will continue with conversations with some of the movement’s important actors: Elten Kiene, poet, organiser and co-founder of the Words Become Phrases platform, and, again, Mark Kelly Smith, founder of the poetry slam movement.
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Derek Otte
06.11.2024
Ghent, Minard (VIERNULVIER) – in Dutch
Born in Rotterdam in 1988, Derek Otte has been a mainstay of the Dutch poetry scene for some time now. Younger, he struggled with a stutter. So, he began writing down his thoughts instead, and soon poetry helped him overcome his fear of speaking. Now with four books of poetry published and forays into theatre, Otte is a regular and confident performer, and he was named city poet of Rotterdam in 2017 and 2018. Guided by a genuine love of language, his work seeks to capture the world around us in rhyme and rhythm.
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Strijd Der Titanen
09.11.2024, free for Different Class members
Ghent, Minard (VIERNULVIER) – in Dutch
This Battle of the Titans promises an evening of high-spirited poetic excitement, bringing together both bigger names and a younger generation for (friendly!) spoken word battles in the spirit of healthy competition and technical prowess. The line-up of Belgian poets, representative of the genre’s diversity, features the voices of artists such as Esohe Weyden, Hind Eljadid, Bekvegter, Lisette Ma Neza, Samira Saleh, Soukaïna Bennani, Mon, Seckou Ouologem, Manu Moreau, Siebrand, Giovanni Baudonck, Droge P and Yannick Moyson.
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A Poetic Conversation with George The Poet
09.11.24
Ghent, Vooruit (VIERNULVIER)
The festival will close in style with the appearance of George The Poet. Born in London to Ugandan parents, the progressive poet and ex-rapper, now a star of the spoken word scene he helped to shape and the creator of a popular podcast (titled Have You Heard George’s Podcast?) will perform a selection of his works and engage in a conversation about his creative process, as well as a Q&A with the public. No doubt this will also be the occasion to talk about his latest book Track Record, a beautifully thought-out and heartfelt rallying cry about black creativity.
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<div class="editorial-banner"> <div class=“editorial-credits”> @viernulvier.gent <br/> Cover: Lisette Ma Neza by Melanie Musisi <br/> More info on viernulvier.gent </div></div>
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