Poëzieweek 2027: gravity as the theme of the poetry week

Poëzieweek, the joint poetry week of the Netherlands and Flanders, runs from Thursday 28 January to Wednesday 3 February 2027 under the theme “zwaartekracht” (gravity). Gedichtendag, the poetry day traditionally held on the last Thursday of January, opens the week on 28 January.

Why it matters

For one week, bookshops, libraries and schools across the Netherlands and Flanders put poetry at the centre. The campaign has a fixed anchor: the Poëziegeschenk, a collection of new poems written for the occasion and given away with poetry purchases during the week. For 2027 the gift is written by poet Ester Naomi Perquin, on the gravity theme. The campaign is run by Poëziecentrum in cooperation with Poetry International and library and literary partners across both countries.

Programme highlights

• Gedichtendag opens the week on Thursday 28 January 2027.
• Ester Naomi Perquin writes the Poëziegeschenk 2027, a collection of new poems on the theme “zwaartekracht”.
• The official activity calendar lists local readings, walks and other events across Flanders and the Netherlands, some of them outside the week itself.

Practical information

There is no central venue: activities are decentralised across bookshops, libraries and schools in the Netherlands and Flanders. From Gedichtendag, 28 January 2027, participating bookshops give the Poëziegeschenk away free with a purchase of at least €12.50 of poetry, while stocks last. The organiser’s gift page links to a page where the list of participating bookshops will be published.

Common questions

When is Poëzieweek 2027?

From Thursday 28 January to Wednesday 3 February 2027.

What is Gedichtendag?

The poetry day that traditionally falls on the last Thursday of January and opens the week. In 2027 that is 28 January.

What is the 2027 theme?

“Zwaartekracht”, Dutch for gravity. The theme runs through the Poëziegeschenk and the campaign programming.

What is the Poëziegeschenk?

A collection of new poems written for the week and given away free with a purchase of at least €12.50 of poetry at participating bookshops, from 28 January 2027, while stocks last. The 2027 edition is written by Ester Naomi Perquin.

Who organises the week?

Poëziecentrum, in cooperation with Poetry International and library and literary partners across Flanders and the Netherlands.