GLOBAL • PERFORMANCE • CULTURE
World Poetry Slam Organization

Uniting Nations Through Performance Poetry and cultural exchange.

Join the NetworkSupport the Movement

World Poetry Slam Championship 2026

Countdown to Durban, South Africa

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ABOUT WPSO

What is WPSO

The World Poetry Slam Organization (WPSO) is the global body for performance poetry, connecting national slam communities and shaping a unified international stage.

We bring together poets, organizers, and cultural leaders to collaborate, compete, and amplify stories that reflect the realities of our world.

Through the World Poetry Slam Championship and strategic cultural initiatives, WPSO transforms spoken word into a tool for dialogue, identity, and impact.

More than an organization, WPSO is a living ecosystem where voice travels across borders and poetry becomes a force for global connection.

PROGRAMS & GLOBAL IMPACT

01

National Communities

Each country develops its own slam ecosystem, organizing local events and selecting representatives.

02

Continental & Regional Platforms

Regions coordinate participation, collaboration, and representation across multiple countries.

03

World Championship

Top representatives gather annually to compete and showcase performance poetry on a global stage.

PROGRAMS & GLOBAL IMPACT

Advancing Performance Poetry on a Global Stage

Through international championships, regional platforms, and cross-border collaboration, WPSO continues to expand the reach and impact of performance poetry worldwide.

World Championship

An annual global event bringing together national representatives to compete and showcase performance poetry.

Continental Platforms

Regional structures that support participation, collaboration, and qualification across countries.

Global Collaboration

International exchanges and partnerships that foster growth and cultural dialogue.

STORIES AND FEATURES

Where the Global Slam Movement Finds Its Voice

Beyond competitions and stages, WPSO is a living network of voices, cultures, and stories. This is where we spotlight the journeys of poets, the work of organizers, and the moments that shape the global slam community.
Curated storytelling that reveals the human force behind performance poetry.

Tuesday Spotlight: Deborah Johnson, A Poet, Storyteller & Change-maker

In the vibrant world of performance poetry, one voice that resonates powerfully is that of Deborah Johnson. A writer, spoken word artist, and storyteller from Nigeria, Deborah has harnessed her talents to shine a light on social issues while celebrating the richness...

WPSO Talent Spotlight Tuesday Features Pablowski Where the Poem is a Living Canvas

There are poets who speak, and then there are artists who compose. The European champion from Spain, Pablowski, belongs firmly to the latter. His journey is a rare and compelling story of a visual artist who found his voice not in the silent grammar of paint and...

WPSO Tuesday: The Unstoppable Soul of Mama Fiera

Welcome to WPSO Tuesday, our weekly stage for the stories, the slammers, and the pure soul behind global poetry. Today, we're throwing our spotlight on a force of nature from Spain whose poetry is as fierce as her name and as graceful as her art: Mama Fiera. In the...

Philip Meersman: The Unbound Bard Shaping Poetry’s Global Future

Philip Meersman stands as a towering figure at the intersection of traditional verse, avant garde performance, and global cultural leadership. His journey is a testament to poetry's evolving power, pushing boundaries in both written and spoken forms, and drawing...

Ocotta is Raising the Voice of Brazil’s Periphery

Introduction: The Resonant Voice of Brazil In the vibrant and ever-expanding universe of spoken word poetry, certain voices emerge with an undeniable force, reshaping the landscape and captivating audiences across continents. Among these luminaries stands Ocotta,...

NAFTARY: The Rhythmic Force of Guinea, Uniting Slam, Stage, and Soul

In a world where silence too often smothers truth, Fanta Barry known artistically as NAFTARY doesn't just speak; she vibrates through you. At just 21, this Guinean artist isn't merely performing; she's reshaping what it means to be a voice for her generation. She's...

Filippo Capobianco, From Physics to World Slam Poetry Champion

What do you get when a physicist walks off a lab bench and onto a slam stage? You get Filippo Capobianco a poet who doesn't just perform verses, he detonates them. He’s where galaxies collapse into metaphors, where humor kneels beside heartbreak. He didn’t find slam....

The Heartbeat of the Slamily Celebrating Yuri Miki

This Friday, we're shining a light on a poet, an organizer, and a true architect of community who embodies everything the WPSO "Slamily" stands for: Yuri Miki from Japan. You know that feeling when a poem just hits you, when a performance makes you feel seen,...

Damaged People by Elena Prendjova, aka Brit Lilit

 Elena Prendjova, aka Brit Lilit is a poet, a slam poet, and a poetry translator based in Skopje, Macedonia. She holds an M.A. in Philology Science and a B.A. in English Language and Literature. She has worked as an ESL teacher and has mentored creative writing and...

Old Man Waiting to Cross the Street by Aleen Andreou

Aleen Andreou's last school report,  carries a comment from the headmaster, "She will do well in anything that involves communication." True to this prediction Aleen is a corporate trainer and public speaking coach by profession, an avid actress by hobby. In her late...

GLOBAL FOOTPRINT

A Global Movement, Connected by Voice

From local stages to the world stage, WPSO connects national slam communities across continents, building a shared platform for performance, exchange, and cultural impact.

Member Organizations

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP

World Poetry Slam Championship 2026

Durban, South Africa

The upcoming edition brings together poets from across continents in a celebration of performance, identity, and cultural exchange.This edition continues to expand the global reach and impact of spoken word.

Countdown

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TESTIMONIALS

Voices from the Global Slam Community

From poets to organizers and partners, these voices reflect the impact of a global movement built on expression, connection, and cultural exchange.
I am grateful to have been able to share the stage with you.
And for the organization, I congratulate you! Nothing Less.
The poetry was there, and that’s what most important.
Thank you to all the members of the organization and the artists.
Receive warm hugs.
Héléna Sylvain

Thank you to everyone I met and those perhaps I did not who contributed and hosts, drivers, artists, slam masters, friends of slam, beer fixers and spreaders of love, tragedy and hope through the power of slam specifically and art in general.My existence has been enriched by his experience and I am grateful for every part of it.

Gordon Powrie

PARTNERS & COLLABORATIONS

Building Global Partnerships Through Poetry and Culture

WPSO collaborates with cultural institutions, festivals, organizations, and global partners to expand the reach and impact of performance poetry.

Be part of a worldwide network shaping culture, amplifying voices, and building the future of performance poetry across continents.