The International
Poetry Forum

Est. 1966 in Pittsburgh, PA

A Global Stage for the World’s Greatest Voices

From W.H. Auden to James Earl Jones, Seamus Heaney to Grace Kelly, the International Poetry Forum has welcomed some of the world’s most celebrated poets and performers—even royalty—to Pittsburgh since 1966.

Alumni of this historic reading series include Jorge Luis Borges, Tennessee Williams, Gwendolyn Brooks, Chinua Achebe, Mary Oliver, Kurt Vonnegut, Gregory Peck, Princess Grace of Monaco, Queen Noor of Jordan, and more than 800 voices from over 50 countries. Among them: 9 Nobel Laureates, 14 Oscar winners, 47 Pulitzer Prize recipients, and a Steelers Super Bowl MVP.

Danny Glover, Etta Cox, and Samuel Hazo at the International Poetry Forum

Archives

Explore the rich history of the International Poetry Forum.

Events

View upcoming readings and performances.

Participants

Learn more about International Poetry Forum’s alumni.

  • “One of the best moments I’ve had with poetry. . . . I was never so impressed by anything in my life.”

    James Earl Jones (three-time alumnus and honorary board member of the International Poetry Forum)

  • "There is no question in my mind that Pittsburgh's International Poetry Forum is the most exciting place to read in this country."

    Mark Strand

  • "The audience of the International Poetry Forum in Pittsburgh showed me what I came to America to experience."

    Yevgeny Yevtushenko

  • "After poets strive and writhe . . . to make shapes of collections of words, to make magic, there should be ways for them to reach ears as well as eyes. . . . And so we thank and appreciate Pittsburgh's International Poetry Forum."

    Gwendolyn Brooks

  • "[The International Poetry Forum] announces the timelessness of poetry."

    Judy Collins

  • "I think the reading went swimmingly."

    Jorge Luis Borges