Festival

Thursday 12th of June program

Festival 12 June 13 June 14 June 15 June

Practical info Tickets

Festival tickets Workshop tickets

Opening Program Poetry International x Conny Janssen Danst

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Donderdag 12 juni

Poetry International kicks off its 55th anniversary edition with a unique collaboration with Conny Janssen Danst! 

Poetry International kicks off the festival weekend on Thursday evening, June 12, with a unique poetry experience where top poets from around the world share the stage for one night only with some of the finest dancers in the Netherlands. During the opening program, you'll get a 60-minute sneak preview of the festival’s poets, giving you the chance to secretly pick your favorites and map out your own festival journey! 

Each year, Poetry International invites a director or choreographer to create a distinctive theatrical setting for the official opening, inspired by the festival theme. This year, we are proud and delighted that renowned choreographer Conny Janssen is not only bringing the poets together but also connecting them with the dancers of Conny Janssen Danst. 

Participating poets: Diana Anphimiadi, Simon Armitage, Kwame Dawes, Maricela Guerrero, Alysia Nicole Harris, Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, Tom Lanoye, Luljeta Lleshanaku, Momtaza Mehri, Nadia Mifsud, Derek Otte, Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer, Esther Phillips, Astrid H. Roemer, Ian Sanborn, Warsan Shire, Chris Tse, and Lyuba Yakimchuk.

Get your tickets here

Conny Janssen

Conny Janssen is known for the physical and theatrical power of her dancers and the diversity of her performances. For the opening program of Poetry International, she presents a one-time poetic adaptation of her recent production, ZIEL (SOUL)—a powerful piece about humanity, resilience, and the elusive inner landscape. Expect a captivating experience where dance and poetry merge in a way that exists only in this moment and on this stage. 

Opening night

Practical information:
Thursday June 12th 2025
Theater Zuidplein
Gooilandsingel 95
3083 DP Rotterdam

19:30 walk-in
20:15 doors open
20:30 start of program
21:30 end of program
21:45 drinks!

Language and duration:
Language: English
Duration: 1 hour

Price:
Normal ticket: € 22,50 including service fees.
Discounts available for Rotterdampas, CJP and students.

Important information:
Please come on time, the doors close at 20:30. After this, it will not be possible to enter the venue.
Please note that a ticket for the opening program is not included in a passe-partout!

Buy your tickets here!

Visitor information

Visit the festival

Upon arrival at LantarenVenster, you will receive a wristband that gives access to halls 1, 5, and 6 of LantarenVenster upon presentation of your festival ticket at the festival desk.

All programs and rooms are free to walk in and out, but full = full applies. So be on time for a program starts to secure a place.

Prices, discounts and service costs

Day tickets
Friday/Sunday: € 27,50
Saturday: € 35

Passe-partouts
€ 77,50 (Friday to Sunday)

Opening program
€ 22,50 (Thursday, not accessible with a passe-partout)

Workshops
€ 27,50 (per workshop)

All ticket prices include service fees. There are discounts for holders of RotterdamPas and students.

Purchased tickets cannot be cancelled or exchanged. If you wish to re-sell your ticket, we recommend using Ticketswap.

Ticket sales

Workshop tickets, day tickets and passe-partouts for the festival on 13, 14 and 15 June 2025 can be only be purchased online. After your order, you will receive e-ticket(s) in your mailbox.

With a day ticket/passe-partout, you visit all festival programs in LantarenVenster. The programming in the foyer of LantarenVenster is freely accessible and can also be visited without a festival ticket.

For questions about tickets, ticket sales and festival programming, please contact: info@poetry.nl

Accessibility

LantarenVenster
Otto Reuchlinweg 996
3072 MD Rotterdam
Wilhelminapier

Verhalenhuis Belvédère
Rechthuislaan 1
3072 LB Rotterdam

Theater Zuidplein
Gooilandsingel 95
3083 DP Rotterdam

All locations are easily accessible by public transport, car, bicycle, water taxi and on foot. Paid parking is possible on parking lots and garages nearby.

For more information on accessibility, click here.