Jamaica Poetry Festival

The Jamaica Poetry Festival (JPF), now in its 16th staging, is set to take place on August 9, 2026, at the University of Technology (UTech) amphitheatre in Saint Andrew, Jamaica. Founded and organised by Yasus Afari, the festival operates under the theme 'Generation Next', with a primary objective to expose fresh talent and foster positive lyrical content, offering a contrast to the prevailing themes in contemporary dancehall music.

The day-long event features a diverse programme of activities, beginning with youth- and family-friendly creative arts workshops from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. In the afternoon, the Visions of Hope Poetry For Charity Fund-raising Dinner will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the UTech Hotel, benefiting The Salvation Army School for the Blind Choir. The festival culminates with the highly anticipated 'Feast of Poetree Showcase' starting at 7:00 pm.

The JPF brings together a mix of emerging and established artists, including performers like Empress Kay, Kalilah Martin, Scantana, Ras Jaja, singers Hugo Barrington and Admiral Tibet, sociologist Professor Clinton Hutton, and film-maker Lennie Little-White. The festival also features international participants, such as El Jones from Canada. Tributes are planned for Alexander Pushkin, Jamaican and West Indian cultural pioneers, and a surprise lifetime awardee will also be recognised.