UNESCO first adopted 21 March as World Poetry Day during its 30th General Conference in Paris in 1999, with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression.

As such, World Poetry Day commemorates one of our most precious forms of linguistic expression and identity. This celebration is an occasion to honour poets, to promote poetry recitals and the reading, writing and teaching of poetry, to encourage the convergence between poetry and other arts such as theatre, dance, music and painting, and to increase the visibility of poetry in the media.

What is UIC Barcelona doing to celebrate?

The University, through the Department of Applied Linguistics, will celebrate this year by covering UIC Barcelona in verses by poets from all over the world. Between Monday 21 and Friday 25 March, keep an eye on the windows in the common areas of the Barcelona and Sant Cugat Campuses, where you will see written verses of poetic compositions by artists from all over the world.

Take photos and share this artistic expression to commemorate this great world festival of words and literature. Also, tag the University on social media if you post to one of the following channels:

• • Instagram (official account): @UICBarcelona
  • Twitter (official account): @UICBarcelona
  • LinkedIn (official account): Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
  • Facebook (official account): @UICBarcelona

And... we'll be holding a competition on Instagram!

We’ll also be celebrating World Poetry Day from 21 to 25 March via our UIC Barcelona Instagram page. You will have the chance to take part in a competition that involves answering one question each day related to the verses written around the campuses. Participants will be entered into a draw to win a magnetic fridge poetry kit (in English).