European Poetry Festival: Switzerland
The UK’s biggest celebration of continental poetry in performance, experimentation and collaboration returns, hosted by S.J. Fowler.
Back at the National Poetry Library for its eighth year, come along to hear new work by contemporary European poets and their British-based counterparts. This event is a unique exploration of the performative, literary and cross-lingual potential of 21st century European poetry.
Three contemporary Swiss poets present new live works, made for the night, with British counterparts. Featuring solo readings by the visiting Swiss poets followed by collaborations from:
Christian de Simoni and James Knight
Jessica Zuan and Kate Wakeling
Natalie Schmid and poet to be announced
This event is supported by Pro Helvetia.
Need to know
For your visit
This event is held at the National Poetry Library Southbank Centre
The National Poetry Library is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 12 noon – 6pm
Wednesday – Sunday, 12 noon – 8pm
Monday, closed.
Getting here
The National Poetry Library is on Level 5 of our Royal Festival Hall.
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Study & library use
The library is London’s only space dedicated to poetry study. Visitors studying another subject or looking for a place to work are kindly asked to find an alternative space in the Royal Festival Hall.