Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710
FAX (215) 567-7850
Contact: Communications and Development
The Free Library of Philadelphia to Celebrate National Poetry Month
PHILADELPHIA – April is National Poetry Month, and the Free Library of Philadelphia is gearing up for month-long programming to celebrate the spoken words that move us all.
“Poetry is a celebration of the power of words to inspire, connect, and transform,” said Kelly Richards, President and Director, Free Library of Philadelphia. “At the Library, poetry opens doors to new perspectives, strengths, and communities, and it reminds us of the beauty found in language. This April, we invite everyone to explore the magic poetry offers us.”
The Philadelphia public can engage with poetry through many diverse events, like workshops, discussions, performances, and more. Events include:
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Poetry Book Club at the Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
Join our themed Poetry Book Club! Check out and read a book of poetry from your local library relating to each month's theme. Then, we'll meet with others to discuss what we've read. April's theme is contemporary Black poetry.
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Celebrate National Poetry Month! at the Northeast Regional Library on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
Adults are invited to discuss poetry, learn about Northeast Regional's collection, and make easy crafts to celebrate this art form. No experience is required.
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Monday Poets 30th Anniversary Season: Lawrence Dugan and Gabriel Ramirez at the Literature Department at Parkway Central Library on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
The Literature Department’s Monday Poets series is celebrating its 30th anniversary of inspiring and connecting poets and community members across Philadelphia.
This year’s anniversary theme, Sankofa (SAHN-koh-fah), a Twi word from the Akan Tribe of Ghana, embodies the idea that to move forward, one must "go back and get it." In this spirit, each monthly event from September 2024 to April 2025 will celebrate a past Monday Poet and introduce a new one, forming "Sankofa pairs" who will have an opportunity to read their poetry at various library locations throughout the city.
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A Voice for Peace, Concord and Harmony: XI International Poetry Festival in Philadelphia at PhillyCAM on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
This free event is presented by the Free Library of Philadelphia, Acción Colombia and the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Temple University.
As part of the XIX International Poetry Festival (FIP) Palabra en el Mundo, this gathering will unite poets from Latin America and the United States for an evening of verse and music.
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Coffee & Conversations: Open Mic Spoken Word Night at Walnut Street West Library on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
The program’s theme, Words That Carried Us, invites guests to reflect on the poetry, lyrics, and stories that have shaped you—and to share the words that keep you moving forward.
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Grid Books Celebration- A Poetry Reading at the Literature Department at Parkway Central Library on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 5:45 p.m.
Join us in collaboration with Moonstone Arts Center in introducing a stellar lineup of poets representing Grid Books Press and their strong ties to the Philadelphia area and its more than two decades of independent publishing.
National Poetry Month, established in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, highlights the poets’ integral role in our culture and how much poetry matters. According to Poets.org, April has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and, of course, poets celebrating poetry’s value.
Visit your neighborhood library to see what programs are coming near you. For a complete, up-to-date listing of all upcoming events, visit freelibrary.org/calendar/.
04/01/2025
Department of External Affairs, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710, FAX (215) 567-7850