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Poets and cultural figures from Botswana, South Africa, Greece, Spain, Kurdistan and other parts of the world will gather in Molepolole from 23 to 28 November 2026.
MOLEPOLOLE, BOTSWANA — October 2026
Botswana is preparing to welcome an international gathering of poets, writers, cultural figures and literary enthusiasts as the Botswana International Poetry Festival 2026 takes place from 23 to 28 November in Molepolole. Under the guiding themes of Voices, Heritage and Poetry for the Planet, the six-day festival aims to celebrate the universal language of poetry while highlighting cultural diversity, human experience, environmental responsibility and international literary cooperation.
Bringing together participants from different geographical, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, the festival seeks to establish a meeting ground where local traditions encounter international literary perspectives and where poetry becomes a bridge between communities and generations.
The programme combines poetry readings, guest addresses, cultural performances, heritage presentations and activities dedicated to wildlife conservation and climate awareness.
International Leadership and Cultural Cooperation
The festival’s organisational leadership brings together cultural representatives from different parts of the world.
Võ Thị Như Mai, representing Vietnam and Australia, serves as co-organiser. A poet, literary translator and editor, she brings an international perspective to the festival’s literary and cultural exchange.
Nelly Vee, representing the Virgin Islands, serves as the Digital Media and Technology Partner through KVI Network Creations. Her contribution supports the festival’s international visibility and digital cultural engagement.
The festival’s main organiser and host is identified in the published programme, although the individual’s name remains pending verification.
The festival’s international dimension reflects a growing recognition that literary gatherings can play an important role in strengthening cultural diplomacy, encouraging translation and creating opportunities for writers to communicate beyond national and linguistic boundaries.
Day One: Opening Ceremony and International Literary Voices
Monday, 23 November 2026
The opening day will introduce the festival’s central themes through an official ceremony, guest addresses, poetry readings and cultural presentations.
The proposed programme begins with registration and welcoming activities, followed by the official opening ceremony and addresses by invited guests.
Among the featured speakers and cultural contributors are:
- Hon. Shima Monageng – Guest Speaker.
- Moroka Moreri – Guest Speaker.
- Godfrey Kalanke – Cultural Activist.
- Tshepo Rantho – Motivator.
- Power Kawina – Museum Curator.
The literary programme will include general candidate poetry readings, followed by sessions exploring heritage, identity and community. An international poetry session will provide space for expressions of human experience across different cultures.
The day will also feature cultural performances, reflections and discussions introducing the following day’s environmental programme.
Botswana’s Poetic Voices and Cultural Heritage
An important dimension of the festival is its celebration of Botswana’s own literary and cultural voices.
The published programme identifies several local participants whose contributions will be associated with different thematic sessions.
The featured poets include:
Motheo, Kaputtura, Bosele and Letty, representing Botswana’s candidate poetry readings.
The heritage, identity and community sessions will feature:
Mma Dikgomo, Senamiphatshwana, Ramalabola and Bonni.
These contributions will provide an opportunity to explore the relationship between poetry, collective memory, cultural identity and the traditions that shape Botswana’s social landscape.
The festival also highlights participants associated with nature, wildlife and conservation, including:
Onkarabile, Kabelo (Botswana), Poo Tshweu, Phokokgolo and Sebonta.
Their participation reflects the festival’s intention to bring together artistic expression and the natural environment.
International Poets: A Conversation Across Borders
One of the festival’s principal attractions is its international literary participation, bringing together poets from Africa, Europe and the wider international community.
The published participant programme identifies the following international voices:
- Kabelo – South Africa.
- Johannes – South Africa.
- Hussein Habaschi – Kurdistan.
- Christos Koukis – Greece.
- Gloria Nistal Rosique – Spain.
Their participation contributes to the festival’s international character, offering different poetic traditions and perspectives on identity, belonging, society and the human condition.
The proposed international voices session will explore the ways poetry transcends geographical boundaries and creates a shared space for cultural understanding.
The programme also connects international literary expression with environmental concerns. Poets including Christos Koukis and Johannes appear in the proposed climate advocacy groupings, alongside Botswana’s Kaputtura and other participants.
Day Two: Poetry for the Planet
Tuesday, 24 November 2026
The second day will move beyond the conventional literary setting to explore the relationship between poetry, nature and environmental responsibility.
The proposed programme includes an excursion to Mmokolodi, combining wildlife observation with conservation-themed literary activities.
Participants will have an opportunity to experience the natural environment before engaging in readings dedicated to wildlife protection, biodiversity and climate change.
The day’s programme is structured around several activities:
- Conservation orientation.
- Wildlife observation and poetic inspiration.
- Wildlife and conservation readings.
- Climate advocacy readings.
- A collective performance entitled Poetry for Climate Action.
- Environmental reflections and acknowledgements.
The programme’s environmental dimension reflects the growing importance of artistic participation in discussions about ecological challenges.
By connecting poetry with wildlife conservation and climate advocacy, the festival seeks to demonstrate that literature can contribute not only to cultural preservation but also to a wider awareness of humanity’s responsibility towards the planet.
Additional cultural and musical contributions are expected from Anthony, while Katlholo, a Botswana guitarist, is identified as a musical performer.
Voices Beyond Borders: Poetry, Art and Reflection
Beyond the scheduled readings, the festival’s literary exhibition, entitled “Voices Beyond Borders: Poetry, Art & Reflection,” presents a wider collection of international poetic works.
The exhibition brings together poems by writers from different countries and literary traditions, creating an additional platform for international exchange.
Featured works and their authors include:
- Mad Melody – Shoshana Vegh.
- Only You – Maria Miraglia.
- Compass and Shadow – Timothée Bordenave.
- Of Longevity and Immortality – Jernail S. Anand.
- Terms of Any Given Day – Dean Fewson.
- Embrace the Infinite: Nocturnal Weave – Catherine Poulain.
- Sestiniz – Dr. Hilal Karahan, in Turkish and English.
- Living Below the Line – Sastri Bakry.
- The Power of Love – Lê Quý Long.
- The Hardest Part – Christos Koukis.
- On My Own – Trần Quốc Vĩnh.
- Leave, Just for a Little While – Dr. Lina Ahmed Dabbeh.
- Awake All Night – Võ Thị Như Mai.
- Painted Evolution – Nelly Vee.
- Earth – Dr. Bhawani Shankar Nial, translated by Chandrachud Behera.
- As I Walk Along the Path Yulta Wardli – Juan Garrido Salgado.
This literary exhibition expands the festival’s reach beyond the physical gathering, celebrating poetry as an international artistic language capable of connecting individual experiences with universal concerns.
A Six-Day Celebration with Further Activities Ahead
The festival is scheduled to continue until 28 November.
While the opening programme for 23 and 24 November has been outlined, the organisers are still developing the detailed schedules for the remaining four days, from 25 to 28 November.
Further participants, activities, locations and performance arrangements are expected to be announced following confirmation.
Poetry as a Bridge Between Humanity and Nature
The Botswana International Poetry Festival 2026 comes at a time when international cultural exchange is increasingly important in addressing the challenges of a changing world.
Its combination of African cultural heritage, international poetry, literary translation, environmental advocacy and artistic collaboration offers an opportunity to explore the role of literature in building bridges between nations.
Botswana’s participation as host country provides an important African setting for this encounter, while the international guests bring perspectives from different continents and literary traditions.
Ultimately, the festival’s message extends beyond poetry readings and literary performances: words can preserve cultural memory, strengthen human connections, inspire environmental awareness and encourage dialogue among people whose languages and experiences may differ but whose creative aspirations are shared.
The Botswana International Poetry Festival 2026 will take place from 23 to 28 November in Molepolole, Botswana.
Festival Information
Event: Botswana International Poetry Festival 2026
Dates: 23–28 November 2026
Venue/Host Location: Molepolole, Botswana
Main Themes: Voices, Heritage and Poetry for the Planet
Co-Organiser: Võ Thị Như Mai (Vietnam/Australia)
Digital Media and Technology Partner: Nelly Vee (Virgin Islands)
Media and Programme Information: KVI Network Creations.
