23–28 NOVEMBER 2026 · SIX DAYS
MOLEPOLOLE · BOTSWANA
Botswana International
Poetry Festival 2026
SIX-DAY FESTIVAL · PROGRAMME IN DEVELOPMENT
Voices · Heritage · Poetry for the Planet
Opening days detailed below · 25–28 November awaiting confirmation
Programme in development · Last editorial update: 22 October 2026 · All session assignments subject to organiser confirmation
FESTIVAL LEADERSHIP · MAIN ORGANISER & HOST
Festival Main Organiser
FESTIVAL LEADERSHIP · CO-ORGANISER
Võ Thị Như Mai
Vietnam / Australia
FESTIVAL LEADERSHIP · DIGITAL MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY PARTNER
Nelly Vee
Virgin Islands
✦ 01 · FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE
Welcome to the Festival
Six days celebrating poetry, culture, international voices and environmental advocacy.
The first two days include the proposed opening and literary readings, followed by a conservation-focused programme. Days Three through Six (25–28 November) are awaiting organiser-confirmed schedules. All displayed session times and reading groups are provisional.
✦ 02 · MONDAY 23 NOVEMBER
Festival Welcome
Opening artwork and festival introduction.
Day One · Opening & Literary Voices
Official opening, candidate poems, heritage and international literary expression.
| TIME | PROGRAMME |
|---|---|
| 9:00–9:30 AM | Registration and welcome |
| 9:30–10:30 AM | Official opening ceremony and guest addresses |
| 10:30–11:00 AM | Cultural presentation and photographs |
| 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | General Candidate Poems |
| 12:00–1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00–2:00 PM | Heritage, Identity & Community readings |
| 2:00–2:15 PM | Break |
| 2:15–3:15 PM | International Voices & Human Experience readings |
| 3:15–4:00 PM | Cultural performances |
| 4:00–4:30 PM | Reflections and Day 2 briefing |
✦ 03 · DAY ONE CONTRIBUTORS
Official Guests & Cultural Contributors
Guest speakers and invited cultural contributors. Their exact appearance times remain provisional.
Featured Poets & Guests
Portrait and promotional artwork placements for the opening day.
✦ 04 · TUESDAY 24 NOVEMBER
General Candidate Readings
Participants provisionally grouped for opening-day candidate readings.
Day Two · Poetry for the Planet
Excursion to Mmokolodi, wildlife observation, conservation readings and climate advocacy. Destination and travel arrangements are subject to confirmation.
| TIME | PROGRAMME |
|---|---|
| 8:00–10:00 AM | Travel and arrival allocation |
| 10:00–10:30 AM | Conservation orientation |
| 10:30–11:30 AM | Wildlife observation and poetry inspiration |
| 11:30 AM–12:30 PM | Wildlife & Conservation readings |
| 12:30–1:30 PM | Lunch |
| 1:30–2:30 PM | Climate Advocacy readings |
| 2:30–3:15 PM | Collective performance: Poetry for Climate Action |
| 3:15–3:45 PM | Environmental reflections |
| 3:45–4:00 PM | Acknowledgements |
| 4:00 PM onward | Return travel |
✦ 05 · DAY TWO CONTRIBUTORS
Heritage, Identity & Community
Botswana cultural voices and performers.
Nature & Climate Voices
Portrait and promotional artwork placements for the environmental programme.
✦ 06 · READING PROGRAMME
International Voices
International participant posters.
Thematic Poetry Sessions
Suggested groupings only. Participants and organizers will confirm names, selections and reading times.
I · General Candidate Poems
Kaputtura · Letty · Bosele · Motheo
II · Heritage & Identity
Mma Dikgomo · Senamiphats hwana · Ramalabola · Bonni
III · International Voices
Christos Koukis · Hussein Habaschi · Johannes · Kabelo (South Africa)
IV · Wildlife & Conservation
Phokokgolo · Onkarabile · Poo Tshweu · Kabelo (Botswana)
V · Climate Advocacy
Anthony · Christos Koukis · Johannes · Kaputtura
✦ 07 · FESTIVAL GALLERY
Wildlife & Conservation
Participants provisionally connected with the nature and conservation programme.
Additional Participant & Cultural Portraits
Reserved spaces for the remaining festival posters and featured guests.
✦ 08 · ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Climate Advocacy & Music
Additional participants and performance contributors. Session roles remain subject to organizer approval.
25–28 NOVEMBER 2026
Days Three–Six · Programme to Be Confirmed
Additional festival sessions, contributors, locations and times will be published once confirmed by the organisers. No activities are assigned to these dates before official confirmation.
Wednesday 25 November
Details pending
Thursday 26 November
Details pending
Friday 27 November
Details pending
Saturday 28 November
Details pending
For All Participants
Practical notes for performers and visiting poets.
Readings: Prepare poems aligned with your proposed session theme. Excursion: Wear comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing. Confirmation: Transport, meals, final venues, speaker order and performance times will be shared by organizers.
✦ POETRY · CULTURE · CONSERVATION ✦
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME · DETAILS SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION
References & Further Reading
The festival leadership and participant details are based on the posters supplied for the Botswana International Poetry Festival 2026. The six-day dates are based on an organiser update. Programme schedules and performance groupings are provisional.
- Festival announcement and overview
- KVI Network Events & Creative Experiences
- Krafty Page ChronicleS — literary publishing
- Nelly Vee — Poetry & Spoken Word
Final daily activities, confirmed locations, speakers and performance times should be checked with festival organisers before travel or attendance.
Programme note: Festival portraits and leadership images are included. Participant reading assignments require final organizer verification. Schedule and times remain provisional.
Join the Festival Conversation
Share your thoughts and celebrate the festival’s poets, musicians and cultural contributors. All comments are reviewed before publication.
One response
🌍 Poetry has a way of bringing people together, even when we come from different cultures, speak different languages, and see the world through different experiences.
As we prepare for the Botswana International Poetry Festival 2026, I would love to hear your thoughts.
If you could share one poem, cultural tradition, or message with the world, what would it be, and why?
Let’s begin the conversation right here. Your voice matters, whether you’re a poet, artist, storyteller, or simply someone who appreciates the power of words.
Nelly Vee
KVI Network
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