This weekend, 18 to 20 November, the McGregor Poetry Festival celebrates ten years of existence with the theme Touching the Wild.
The McGregor Poetry Festival, designed to showcase South African poetry and performance, has become one of the most popular literary festivals in the country.
Billy Kennedy, founder of the event, says: ‘Now in its tenth year, we will reflect on our wondrous journey thus far, filled as it was with the exuberant passion and generosity of the many poets who have supported our vision.’
‘Once again, the festival will be anchored at Temenos Retreat in McGregor and will celebrate poets, their muses and their creative offerings.’
This year’s festival represents a variety of talent, showcased through 65 different events. Attendees can go to 43 different poetry reading events, three open mic sessions, 11 book launches, three workshops, three music and movement performances, and two youth outreach events.

The programme features impressive guests who have played an important role in shaping South African poetry, including Antjie Krog, Wendy Woodward, Ian McCallum, Ilze Olckers and many more.
Exciting new voices Nondwe Mpuma, Lisa Julie and Jadrick Pedro will also be at the festival.
Ons Klyntji, a literary zine that highlights English and Afrikaans poetry, will be featured at the festival. Contributors Sindiswe Busuku and Tom Dreyer will be joined by spoken word artists Churchil Naudé and Curtley Jones, as well as two of the zine’s editors: Toast Coetzer and Alice Inggs.
On Saturday, 19 November at 3pm, the launch of the Poetry in McGregor 2021 Anthology will be presented, with readings. This is part of the weekend’s various launches including new works by Douglas Reid Skinner, Willem Fransman Jnr, Christine Coates and ‘The Phoebe Book of Poems for Children’, curated by Patricia Schonstein.

The Youth Programme in McGregor takes place this week, before the festival, and gives 90 grade 1s to 12s from local schools a chance to experience art, photography and poetry workshops.
The idea of Poetry in McGregor, along with creating a space to enjoy and share poetry, encourages poets of all ages to keep writing.
The annual festival poetry competition, whose entries are now closed, will be judged by external, established poets. Finalists will be published on the event’s website, and the prize winners will be announced at the opening event of the festival on 18 November. There are cash prizes for the winners in both the youth and adult categories.
To view this year’s full programme, click here. Tickets for the events can be booked via Quicket.
For accommodation options you can contact McGregor Tourism at [email protected] or on 023 625 1954.
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The Homecoming Centre: Memory, community, education and connection
Picture: Supplied