Poets for Democracy

Democracy is fundamentally based on the freedom of expression, especially via the arts and culture. Poetry, as a liberal literary genre, offers the opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future of European democratic values that we all share. Whilst slam poetry, is a form of poetic expression that incorporates performance and a participative audience.

EU Poets
Silvia Pollidori, European Parliament - Italy
Ben Ray, European Commission - UK
Alison Mooney, European Parliament - Ireland

European Champions
Dani Orviz, 2012 first European Champion, Spain
Péter Molnàr, 2018 European Champion, Hungary
Lisette Ma Neza, 2017 Runner Up and audience award winner - Belgium
Marie Darah, 2021 European Champion - Belgium
Elif Duygu, 2022 Austrian Champion - Austria
Joonas Veelmaa, 2023 European Champion - Estonia

Slam poets at the European Parliament “Poets for Democracy” event will address topics that show the manifold advantages of democracies. These include praising freedom of expression, tolerance, solidarity, togetherness, a common EU future, as well as flagging disruptive forces that could endanger our democratic achievements such as the misfits of social media, Artificial Intelligence or the advent of a more polarised, more self-absorbed society.