Literature & talks

We’re the home of literature and spoken word events in the UK; throughout our summer season, hear powerful perspectives on the climate crisis

Throughout the month

Poets in Vogue

Uncover the relationship between the language of poets and the clothes they wear at our free exhibition. For ages 16+.

Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 12 noon –8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free

Saturday 1

Meeting at the River: Ways of Knowing

Part of Planet Summer Selvagem, a Brazilian Indigenous-led collective, share ancestral, scientific, artistic and mythological knowledge. Speechto-Text transcribed (STT). For all ages.

2pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free

Wednesday 5

Special Edition: Tape Letters

Suna Afshan’s new poetry is based on intimate cassette tapes sent between families in Pakistan and the UK. For ages 16+.

8pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £7

Friday 7

Rebecca

Solnit,

Thelma Young

Lutunatabua & Guests

Part of Planet Summer

Appearing remotely, the pair present their new book, Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility

For ages 14+.

7pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15

Saturday 8

The Poetry Takeaway

Form a queue at our mobile poetry emporium, where our New Poets Collective dish out sizzling new work.

12 noon – 5pm; Queen's Walk; Free

Mikaela Loach:

It's Not That Radical

Part of Planet Summer

In her debut book, the climate justice activist opens up a fresh perspective for real climate action. For ages 14+.

1pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10

Olivia Laing: The Art of Resistance

Monday 10

Mark Carney on Climate Action and Finance

Part of Planet Summer

Human values over market values: a lecture and discussion on the urgency of creating a greener future. Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 16+.

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £25

Wednesday 12

Is Climate Activism

Working?

Part of Planet Summer

A panel of experts and activists debate the future direction of climate activism. Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 16+.

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £25

Thursday 13

William MacAskill: What We Owe the Future

Part of Planet Summer

The philosopher speaks for making the future better for generations to come. For ages 16+.

7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10

Out-Spoken: July

Part of Poetry International Stop by our monthly gathering of brilliant poets and musicians and kick off Poetry International British Sign Language interpreted (BSL). For ages 16+.

7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12

Friday 21

Ginkgo Prize for Ecopoetry: Shortlist Readings

Part of Poetry International Admire the work of ecopoets shortlisted for the Ginkgo Prize and applaud the winners at this ceremony. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL). For ages 16+. 6pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £7.50 Also available as a live stream; £5

Poetry International Opening Night: Festival

Summit

Part of Poetry International What role can poetry play in addressing the climate crisis? Five leading ecopoets dive in. Speechto-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 16+.

Simon Sinek

& Steven Bartlett Live

Find motivation and look to a brighter future at an event with two inspirational speakers. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL). For ages 12+. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.

8pm; Royal Festival Hall; £35 – £65

Thursday 6

Kate Molleson:

Sound Within Sound

The author’s radical book fundamentally changes the way we think about classical music. For ages 16+.

7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15

Caitlin Moran:

What About Men?

Caitlin Moran is back on the road to discuss her new book – and this time, it’s all about the men.

Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT) and British Sign Language interpreted (BSL). For ages 16+.

8pm; Royal Festival Hall; £20 – £37

Part of Planet Summer

How can art be used to both engender and document acts of resistance? For ages 16+.

4pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10

Sunday 9

Writers Rebel:

Responding to the Climate Crisis

Part of Planet Summer

A group of writers use the power of words to claim a fairer and safer future for all life on earth. For ages 16+.

1pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10

Dominique

Palmer:

Climate Joy and Optimism

Part of Planet Summer

The climate justice activist invites you to find hope for the future through the beauty of the natural world. For ages 14+.

4pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10

Friday 14

Rug Rhymes at the NPL

Share songs and poems with your little ones in a short session of nursery rhymes for under-5s. 11am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £4 (admits one adult and one child)

Sunday 16

Tori Tsui:

It's Not Just You

Part of Planet Summer

The climate activist and mental health advocate discusses her new book with actor Jessie Mei Li. Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 12+.

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15

Thursday 20

Yomi Adegoke & Bernardine Evaristo: The List

The Slay In Your Lane co-author launches her sensational debut novel in conversation with Bernardine Evaristo. Speech-toText Transcribed (STT).

For ages 16+.

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £26.99

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15

Linguaparty

Part of Poetry International Language is the life of the party as we’re treated to a soundscape featuring Cedar Lewisohn’s poetry. For ages 18+ only.

9pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £7

Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons. Planet Summer talks multi-buy: with our multi-buy offer, you can book for two or more Planet Summer talks in the same transaction to receive a discount of 20% or more. Discounts apply to selected events. Check individual event pages on our website for details.

Saturday 22

The Ecology of Eclogues Workshop with John Kinsella

Part of Poetry International

Discover the ancient form of the eclogue in a poetry workshop led by John Kinsella. For ages 18+.

10am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £20

Poetry Workshop: Nature as Active Participant

Part of Poetry International

Describe the connections between living things in Jinhao Xie’s online workshop for writers of all levels For ages 18+.

11am; Online events; £5

Dear Earth Poetry Workshop with Belinda Zhawi

Part of Poetry International

Craft poems inspired by our exhibition Dear Earth in this creative workshop. For ages 18+ only.

11am; Hayward Gallery Foyer; £25 (includes exhibition entry)

A Green Art: Irish Poetry, Words, Film and Music

Part of Poetry International

Roam across the poetic landscape of the Emerald Isle in this celebration, with readings and a film screening. For ages 16+.

12 noon; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12

Cerys Matthews: Under Milk Wood

Part of Poetry International

Revisit the beloved fictional world of Dylan Thomas in an afternoon of storytelling and music. For ages 8+.

2pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 (adult) £10 (child)

Dear Earth Poetry Workshop with Olive Senior

Part of Poetry International

The Poet Laureate of Jamaica leads you through writing exercises responding to our climate-focused exhibition. For ages 18+ only.

3pm; Hayward Gallery Foyer; £25 (includes exhibition entry)

Tongue Fu: Hot Poets International

Part of Poetry International Poetry, science and improvised music combine to shine a light on the work being done to save our planet. For ages 16+.

6pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12

Gwenno

Part of Poetry International

The sound artist and DJ presents her acclaimed album, sung entirely in Cornish, and its accompanying film. For ages 16+.

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £25

Repeat Patterns: Poetry and Fashion

Part of Poetry International

Poets Amy Key and Jane Yeh join curators of our Poets in Vogue exhibition Sophie Oliver and Sarah Parker to discuss all things fashion and poetry. For ages 16+.

8pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £7

Sunday

23

(Soma)tic Poetry

Rituals Workshop with CAConrad

Part of Poetry International

Explore the creative viability in nature in this poetry workshop led by CAConrad. For ages 18+.

10am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £20

Can Poets Speak to Trees?

Part of Poetry International

Three poets contend with the intersection of nature and writing in this panel discussion. For ages 16+.

12 noon; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £10

Out-Spoken

Masterclass: July

This month’s writing workshop, led by Amy Key, explores creative nonfiction and the lyric essay. For ages 18+.

1pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £20

My Art, My Activism

Part of Poetry International Activist poets lift the lid on their processes as writers and committed campaigners. For ages 16+.

3pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £10

A Celebration of Art by Post: Poems for Our Planet

Part of Poetry International

An afternoon of poetry, film and talks reflects on our initiative that supports wellbeing through creativity.

3pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free

Poetry Unbound Live

Part of Poetry International

Delve into an immersive exploration of a single poem. Unhurried, contemplative and energising. For all ages.

5pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free

NPL at 70: International Celebration

Part of Poetry International

The National Poetry Library is 70; mark the milestone with us and an incredible line-up of poets to close this year’s Poetry International festival. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL). For ages 16+.

7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15

Saturday 29

Caring Is a Form of Resistance

Part of Planet Summer

Artist Otobong Nkanga and author Irenosen Okojie discuss themes of extraction, care and repair.

7pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £7.50

Sunday

30

The Climate Conversation

Part of Planet Summer

Climate leaders including Greta Thunberg and Tori Tsui come together for a roundtable discussion. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL). For ages 12+. 8pm; Royal Festival Hall; £15 – £35