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Poetry Parnassus

Simon Armitage reading his work in James Turrell's deer shelter at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Photograph: Jonty Wilde.

Southbank Centre, together with artist in residence, Simon Armitage, will invite poets from all participating Olympic nations to take part in a festival of readings, performance and debate during the London 2012 Festival. Poetry Parnassus is an ambitious project that celebrates international poetry and the spoken word. The week-long festival will take place from 26 June to 1 July 2012 and will be based at the Southbank Centre in London. The festival will culminate in a gala event featuring all 204 poets (one poet from each of the 204 competing nations) and these poets will take part in various events across the UK. The British Council has been working with the Southbank Centre to identify the poets and will support the festival through a related education programme.

Poetry Parnassus is part of the London 2012 Festival.

The British Council global programme inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Big Dance, BT River of Music, English for the Games, International Inspiration, International Showcase, International Voices, Poetry Parnassus, Unlimited, The Changing Room, World Olympic Dreams, World Shakespeare Festival and World Stages