Lemn Sissay introduces an evening of readings by favourite poets as chosen by you to celebrate the National Poetry Library’s 70th birthday.

In 2023 we asked the public to select their favourite newly discovered poets in our 70-Poet Challenge, and now we’re bringing those poets to the stage.

Hosted by Sissay, ambassador for the library’s 70-Poet Challenge, this event brings new voices and established favourites together for an unmissable evening of performance.

The library also invited people to write their own 70-word poems, and we hear examples of these read by Southbank Centre’s New Poets Collective, including a selection written by men and women in the prison service selected from our partner, The Reader.