Fri 5 Nov - Sun 7 November 2010

Lovers poemTo discover contemporary poetry at its most vital and revitalising, the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival is widely considered as the leading annual international celebration of contemporary poetry in the UK.

Aldeburgh is always the place to be for the first weekend each November. For two and a half days this small seaside town is open to the world. Experience the power of live poetry, the passion for the art form, the buzz and the lasting benefits for audiences and poets.

Poetry is as close as we can get to complete communication with words alone. And nowhere’s better for experiencing contemporary poetry than Aldeburgh, the annual home for language at its most exhilarating and sustaining. poetry by the sea There’s a new line-up of world-class poets, quality and range guaranteed. .. and always astonishing audiences.

Thirty outstanding poets will take part in a record forty four events (twelve entirely free) at this 22th Festival. An abundance of ideas, connections and pleasures.

The events programme

The programme provides unrepeatable, original and absorbing journeys for a memorable and shared experience. World-class writers from America, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria and Sweden join forces with outstanding UK poets for this year’s ultimate poetry gathering.

What's on offer this year

  • poetry readings
  • family readings
  • workshops
  • lectures
  • performance
  • discussions
  • master classes
  • poetry craft talk
  • poetry quiz
  • open Mic

poetry writing

Pelican Cottage

Holiday at Pelican Cottage in Aldeburgh, 4 star luxury, centrally located to all the festival venues and nearly next door to the best restaurants, pubs and cafe's in the high street.

Click to see Pelican holiday cottage facilities

Friday 5th Nov 2010

Family Reading: Mandy Coe Read more → 6:00pm Jubilee Hall

Craft Talk: John Glenday Read more → SOLD OUT 6:00pm Cinema Gallery

Close Reading: Elaine Feinstein Read more → 6:45pm Peter Pears Gallery

Close Reading: Andrew Motion Read more → 7:15pm Peter Pears Gallery

Reading: Caley, Morgan, Paterson Read more → 8:00pm Jubilee Hall

Poetry Quiz Read more → 10:15pm James Cable Room

Saturday 6th Nov 2010

Discussion: Gustafsson, Howe, Manhire, Paterson
Read more → 9:00am Jubilee Hall

Blind Criticism: Coe, Underwood
Read more → 9:30am Cinema Gallery

Short Take: Luke Kennard
Read more → 10:15am Peter Pears Gallery

Reading: Clifton, Feinstein, Hill
Read more → 10:45am Jubilee Hall

Talk: Andrew Motion
Read more → SOLD OUT 11:00am James Cable Room

Open Workshop: Laskey, Smith
Read more → 12:45pm James Cable Room

Craft Talk: John Irons
Read more → 12:45pm Cinema Gallery

Close Reading: Dorianne Laux
Read more → 12:45pm Peter Pears Gallery

Short Take: Matthew Caley
Read more → 1:15pm Peter Pears Gallery

Reading: Bird, Kennard, Underwood
Read more → 1:45pm Jubilee Hall

Exchange: Manhire, Hill
Read more → 1:45pm James Cable Room

Close Reading: J O Morgan
Read more → 2:45pm Peter Pears Gallery

Craft Talk: Don Paterson
Read more → SOLD OUT 3:15pm James Cable Room

Talk: Bernard Kops
Read more → 3:15pm Cinema Gallery

Reading: Coe, Tellegen
Read more → 4:00pm Jubilee Hall

Talk: Elaine Feinstein
Read more → 4:15pm James Cable Room

Close Reading: Caroline Bird
Read more → 5:00pm Peter Pears Gallery

Craft Talk: Harry Clifton
Read more → SOLD OUT 5:00pm Cinema Gallery

Saturday 6th Nov 2010 (cont)

Performance: Inua Ellams
Read more → 5:45pm Jubilee Hall

Q & A: Tellegen, Davidson
Read more → 5:45pm James Cable Room

Introduction: Marie Howe
Read more → 6:30pm Cinema Gallery

Reading: Glenday, Kops, Laux
Read more → 7:30pm Jubilee Hall

Performance: Elvis McGonagall
Read more → 10:00pm Jubilee Hall

Open Mic
Read more → 11:00pm James Cable Room

Sunday 7th Nov 2010

All Friday Saturday Sunday W'shops Exhib. Timetable

Events on the Sunday of the Festival
Event Time Venue

Discussion: Ellams, Feinstein, Kops, Motion
Read more → 9:00am Jubilee Hall

Exchange: Clifton, Thomson
Read more → 9:15am James Cable Room

Introduction: Louis Simpson
Read more → SOLD OUT 10:15am Cinema Gallery

Close Reading: John Glenday
Read more → 10:30am Peter Pears Gallery

Masterclass: Bill Manhire
Read more → 11:00am Jubilee Hall

Exchange: Gustafsson, Kops
Read more → 11:00am James Cable Room

Close Reading: Inua Ellams
Read more → 12:00pm Peter Pears Gallery

Lecture: Don Paterson
Read more → 12:30pm Jubilee Hall

Craft Talk: Matthew Caley
Read more → 12:30pm Cinema Gallery

Short Take: Selima Hill
Read more → 1:30pm Peter Pears Gallery

Craft Talk: Dorianne Laux
Read more → SOLD OUT 1:30pm Cinema Gallery

Talk: Andrew Motion
Read more → 2:15pm Jubilee Hall

Talk: John Irons
Read more → 1:15pm James Cable Room

Reading: Gustafsson, Howe, Manhire
Read more → 3.15pm Jubilee Hall

Booking information and ticket sales are not tracked, so please contact 01728 687110 for up to date information. Tickets range from £3 - £14 and can be booked online at www.aldeburgh.co.uk (follow link to Aldeburgh Poetry Festival) or at 01728 687110.