About StAnza

Today's best poets in the beautiful town of St Andrews.

About us

Founded by poets. Welcoming everyone.

StAnza is Scotland’s International Poetry Festival, bringing together a rich programme of poets from Scotland and around the world. We showcase the leading lights of Scotland’s poetry scene alongside the most celebrated voices in contemporary poetry.

Each March, our festival offers the ideal conditions for encountering poetry in the coastal town of St Andrews; the historic heart of Fife. Over three decades, our celebration of poetry has grown into one of the UK’s leading literary festivals, renowned for adventurous programming, innovative formats, an international outlook and a warm atmosphere.

From living legends to exciting new voices, StAnza delights in bringing poets and audiences together across generations, cultures and languages. Through performances, workshops, exhibitions and unexpected encounters, we share poems that connect us, challenge us and enhance the way we see the world.

At its heart, StAnza has always been about discovery: discovering new voices and new ways of experiencing poetry.
Whether you are a lifelong poetry lover or simply curious, there’s a place for you here.

What makes StAnza special?

Location, Location, Location: our vibrant festival hub brings poets and audiences together, while St Andrews’ intimate scale means chance encounters, cosy pubs and stunning coastal walks (or a refreshing dip in the sea for the brave!).
Extraordinary Artists, Extraordinary Audiences: our adventurous, thoughtful audiences welcome world-renowned poets, while our commitment to emerging talent means you can discover tomorrow’s prize-winners today. Poets who found an early welcome at StAnza often return as their careers flourish.
Poetry in the Best Light: great poetry deserves great presentation. Our dedicated production team and professional theatre ensure everything from intimate readings to ambitious multidisciplinary performances look and sound their best.
Nobody Left Out: curiosity matters more than expertise. From affordable tickets to accessible facilities and a thoughtfully-curated programme of online events, we work to make StAnza welcoming and accessible to everyone.

"As always, a great meeting place, with an informality and warmth that is unlike any other festival."

Participating Artist, StAnza 2025

Our story

Thirty years of poetry in St Andrews

Read our story

1998First festival, launched on National Poetry Day by poets Gavin Bowd, Anna Crowe and Brian Johnstone.
2003StAnza moves to March, its home in the calendar ever since.
2007StAnza celebrates its 10th anniversary with the 100 Poets' Gathering. Alastair Reid reads his most famous poem, Scotland, and burns the text on stage, vowing never to read it again.
2009Festival events webcast to 68 countries, a world first.
2021StAnza wins the Saboteur Award for Best UK Literature Festival for its first fully online festival.
2022Our first hybrid festival, live in St Andrews and online.
2027StAnza turns 30.