Spring Slam- Institute of English Studies

On the 21st May 2026 the University of Warsaw (the Centre for Foreign Language Teaching and the Institute of English) will host its third English poetry slam. So, what is a poetry slam? It is a lively, interactive spoken word competition which originated in America in the 1980s. The idea was to popularize poetry which was deemed too academic and stuffy, as well as adding a competitive element.

The contestants in the Spring Slam will be University of Warsaw students from all faculties who will read/perform their poems and be judged by a jury of randomly chosen audience members. Slam poetry competitions are exciting and surprising events – it’s not always the most polished poem or confident poet that wins. It is an inclusive event at the heart of which lies the idea that poetry is within all of us and therefore anyone can be a poet. The key is authenticity. In the digital age, it is important that we return to the very roots of communication: spoken word. So, if you feel like sharing your work then please enter our Spring Slam and send an email confirming your participation to Julia Wilde: j.wilde@uw.edu.pl

Subject: SPRING (Wordsworth and Shakespeare have written about it but we want your modern-day interpretation of it!)
Language: ENGLISH
Location: DOBRA 55 (the yellow stairs)
Time: 5.00 - 7.00 pm
Duration: 3 MINUTES OR LESS
Categories: C1 AND C2 LEVELS (winners will be awarded)
Deadline for submissions: 7 MAY 2026 (limited places available)

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