Australian Poetry Slam Tasmania Final 2026 at Glenorchy Library

Poets Run Tasmania!

With millions of metaphors to choose from, what is a poem to you?

A window framing a flaming forest. A lens pulling your iris into focus. Your friend’s sandalwood embrace.

Tasmania poets from country towns and urban centres spark new dreams, clear out cobweb memes and offer audiences a sturdy branch with a clearer view of the cultural storm.

Word Travels, the not-for-profit organisation bringing you the Australian Poetry Slam (APS) since 2010, asks you to ignore that wrinkled cushion begging your bum to curl into couch.

Watch the winners of poetry slam heats from across Tasmania take to the stage and compete for a coveted place in the 2026 APS National Final at Sydney Opera House on Sunday 25 October!

There will be tears and cheers as they electrify your imagination in this nation-wide search for the people’s poet.

APS stages creative democratic forums. We annually elect a National Poetry Slambassador: A cathartic champion. A geiger counter clicking out the country’s true anthems.

The ultimate prize is about $20k worth of publishing and gigs at Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Singapore Writers Festival and more.

Hosted by Miles Merrill Featuring 2025 APS Champion Arantza Garcia Ferrand and the APS 2026 Tasmania Finalists.

Miles Merrill – Originally from Chicago, Miles Merrill is a writer, performer, facilitator and event coordinator who combines poetry with theatre, experimental audio, hip-hop beats, stand-up and, occasionally, political confrontation. Miles introduced poetry slam to Australia, co-wrote and co-directed 'Slamming for the Sydney Festival' and performed with UK DJ Billy Bizniz at the Sydney Opera House. Internationally, Merrill has performed in Krakow's Audio Art Festival, and writers' festivals in Bali, Beijing, Vancouver and Calgary.

Arantza Garcia Ferrand is a Peruvian writer, living and performing on unceded Kaurna Country. She is an organiser, co-host and designer for The Gathered Sound, a poetry open mic platforming the voices and experiences of poets of colour. Arantza is the 2025 Australian Slam Champion, having competed in the national finals at the Sydney Opera House, and has performed at several festivals, galleries, and charity events.

Arantza was shortlisted for the Deep Creek residency in 2025, and has had her work published in a Pure Slush anthology. She has an upcoming book with Pink Shorts Press, to be released in 2027.

Doors open at: 1:00 pm

Slam starts at: 1:30 pm

Content Warning: Most Poetry Slams are all ages and some content may not be suitable for children. Performances may include strong language and / or adult themes.

Australian Poetry Slam is presented by Word Travels. This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW. Also supported by Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Mumbai LitFest, Singapore Writers Festival and Byron Writers Festival.

APS 2026 artwork design: Rachel Stone Designs and DEFNE. Concept: Miles Merrill and the Word Travels team. Poem excerpt in design: APS Champion 2025 – Arantza Garcia Ferrand.

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