News
News, announcements and poems from StAnza, Scotland's International Poetry Festival.
Well Versed 2026: Michael Mullen on Goonie, Community and Writing in Scots
Ahead of StAnza 2026, poet Michael Mullen joined Well Versed to read from Goonie and talk about community, writing in Scots, Ernest Hemingway and the dress-shaped poem at the heart of the collection.
A new look for StAnza’s 30th year
As we head towards our 30th year, StAnza has a new brand and a brand new website. Here’s where the colours came from, what we kept, and what’s new online.
StAnza congratulates the winners of the 2026 Forward Prizes for Poetry
StAnza congratulates the winners of this year’s Forward Prizes for Poetry, including StAnza 2026 headliner Sarah Howe, who has won Best Collection for Foretokens.
Well Versed 2026: Nick Makoha on Basquiat, Icarus and The New Carthaginians
Ahead of StAnza 2026, poet Nick Makoha joined Well Versed to read from The New Carthaginians and talk about Basquiat, Icarus and the footnote poems at the heart of the collection.
Fifebuilt Writers Programme 2026
About Fifebuilt StAnza has been proud to call Fife our home for 30 years. And for 30 years, we've been known that many of the world's best poets live, work & write here. So, in honour of our 30th anniversary we want to celebrate & amplify the poetic talent...
StAnza Statement on Palestine
As a literary festival that celebrates artists attuned to the world around them, we resist the normalisation of oppression, occupation, and the systemic violation of human rights and international law. As such, StAnza: Scotland's International Poetry Festival Festival...
Could you be our new Festival Campaign Manager?
StAnza International Poetry Festival is looking for a skilled and creative communicator with a passion for literature and experience in traditional and digital marketing & communications. The Festival Campaign Manager will play a pivotal role in the successful...
Intangible Heritage with Nat Fiawoo
Warp and Weft: a tapestry of poetry aims to weave together ideas, voices and experiences to inspire discussion and creativity. That's why diving into Africa Writes' 2023 theme, Intangible Heritage, felt like a perfect fit for StAnza's 2024 festival. Bringing...
Meet the Artists: Soukaina Habiballah
We are so excited to watch Mouna Ouafik and Soukaina Habiballah weave their ideas into our poetic tapestry at StAnza 2024. Performing across the weekend as part of their first-ever UK poetry tour, supported by Creative Scotland, The National Lottery, Highlight Arts...
Meet the Artists: Mouna Ouafik
We are so excited to watch Mouna Ouafik and Soukaina Habiballah weave their ideas into our poetic tapestry at StAnza 2024. Performing across the weekend as part of their first-ever UK poetry tour, supported by Creative Scotland, The National Lottery, Highlight Arts...
Meet Our New Artistic Director
We are delighted to announce Ryan Van Winkle will be joining StAnza as our new Artistic Director. An established figure within the poetry community, Ryan has created poetry across multiple mediums. He is the author of two award-winning poetry collections, Tomorrow, We...
An Announcement from StAnza
After two years with StAnza, Artistic Director Lucy Burnett leaves us for new pastures. The Board would like to thank Lucy for her vision and commitment to the festival during these unprecedented times, including the challenges of hybrid delivery of the 2021 festival,...
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