Poet Laureate: Poems

Belgium has had a Poet Laureate since January 29, 2014. It is a literary initiative of the Poeziecentrum (Ghent), La Maison de la Poésie et de la Langue française (Namur) and the literary organization VONK & Zonen (Antwerp), in collaboration with Passa Porta (Brussels). The idea is inspired by the Poet Laureate in the Netherlands, who has been appointed by Poetry International since 2000. The Poet Laureate in Belgium bridges the gap between the three language communities as a literary exchange project.

The Poet Laureate is appointed for two years and writes at least six poems a year on various themes that affect our country. All poems are made available in the three national languages in collaboration with the Translators Collective of Passa Porta.

The honorary title, which was awarded to the Dutch-speaking poet Charles Ducal in 2014, was transferred to the French-speaking poet Laurence Vielle after two years. On Poetry Day 2018, the Dutch-speaking Els Moors became Poet Laureate. She passed the torch on Poetry Day 2020 to the French-speaking poet, Carl Norac. Norac was Poet Laureate until March 23, 2022. From then on, Mustafa Kör will assume the position of Poet Laureate. Every two years a poet from a different language community is appointed.