Volunteers

For more than fifty years, the Poetry International Festival has been that unique place where poets, translators, musicians, artists, and visitors from all over the world meet in the heart of Rotterdam. And for more than fifty years, we’ve only been able to make this happen thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of many volunteers. Volunteers are often the first point of contact for performing artists and the audience, and thus the calling card of the festival.

From Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 June 2026, we will celebrate the 56th edition of the Poetry International Festival at various indoor and outdoor locations in and around the Wilhelminapier and Katendrecht, with Theater Lantaren/Venster and Verhalenhuis Belvédère as the main bases for the many poetry performances, talk shows, interviews, book launches, workshops, poetry routes, and festive Poetry Nights. If your heart beats faster for festivals, if you love poetry, spoken word, music, or books, and if you enjoy working hands-on, then sign up here as a volunteer.

Different roles
As a volunteer, you are the face of the Poetry International Festival for the public, guests, and artists. With a friendly and helpful attitude, you help ensure that everyone feels at home at the festival. We distinguish the following tasks:
• Information/guest desk and hospitality
• Auditorium attendant
• Workshop facilitator

Several important backstage tasks are also fulfilled by volunteers, such as:
• Set-up and breakdown crew
• Runner with a category B driver’s license
• Host for artists and guests
• Catering runner

When signing up, please indicate which role or combination of roles you would like to take on during the festival.

What you can expect from us
You will receive all the necessary guidance while carrying out your tasks. Of course, you get free access to all festival events. Lunch, dinner, and drinks during your shifts will be provided. In the meantime, you’ll meet great people and learn a lot about all the different forms of poetry. You are already warmly invited to the Poetry-get-together, in the garden of the Poetry International office, in the week after the festival.

What we expect from you
As a volunteer, you are at least 18 years old and speak good Dutch or English. If you speak other languages as well, that’s wonderful, as our guests come from all over the world. We ask our volunteers to commit to at least two shifts during the festival.

Shifts fall within the following times:
Thursday 4 June: 11:00 – 23:00
Friday 5 June: 11:00 – 23:00
Saturday 6 June: 11:00 – 23:00
Sunday 7 June: 11:00 – 19:00

If you are available before or after the festival, that is a plus for some roles. Drivers must have held their license for at least three years.

Sign up quickly using this form!

If you have any questions, email us: vrijwilligers@poetry.nl

Programming intern

Poetry International Foundation is a literary organization with the goal of drawing attention to poetry from both the Netherlands and abroad and promoting international exchange between poets, poetry translators, experts, and enthusiasts. Our main activity is the Poetry International Festival, which annually presents a wide range of renowned poets and emerging talents from world poetry. The festival program includes readings, workshops, musical performances, panel discussions, and interviews. The organization is located in the centre of Rotterdam.

Job description
For the organization of the C. Buddingh' Prize and support of the programming for the 56th Poetry International Festival, we are looking for a motivated programming intern. The tasks include:

• Organizing the annual C. Buddingh' Prize
• General support in organizing and executing festival programs
• Helping with the practical development of programs
• Assisting with distributing and collecting translations
• Drafting program schedules
• Communicating with poets and other involved artists
• Carrying out a relevant internship research project is also a possibility.

The internship runs from January/February 2026 through June 2026, with the exact period and (number of) days per week to be discussed.

What we ask for

• You have an affinity for festivals and (international) poetry;
• You are available at least three days per week and willing to work full-time during the period leading up to the festival (May/early June);
• You are organized, work independently, accurately, and proactively;
• You are flexible, communicative, and stress-resistant, able to maintain a good overview, and are curious;
• You have an excellent command of both Dutch and English, both spoken and written. Proficiency in another language is a plus.

What we offer
We offer an internship allowance (no travel expenses). You will receive guidance and work with people who have been active in the field for years, in a pleasant and informal atmosphere. Last but not least: you will have access to all programs before and during the festival!

Interested?
If you are interested in this internship, please send your motivation letter and CV by email or as a video to Fleur Jeras (jeras@poetry.nl) before January 5th.