Main reading - Momtaza Mehri

As part of the festival theme The Poetry Summit: Laureates & Legends, Poetry International welcomes a poet who is already leaving a lasting mark: Momtaza Mehri. A former Young People’s Laureate for London and an acclaimed poet and essayist, she has a distinctive voice that transcends borders.

In this special reading, hosted by Jelle van Riet, Momtaza will bring a selection of her work to life. Her poetry, exploring themes of identity, migration, and heritage, resonates with audiences worldwide. Whether you’re already familiar with her work or discovering her for the first time, Momtaza Mehri’s poetry will certainly move you. 

Momtaza Mehri

Momtaza Mehri is a poet and researcher working across criticism, education, and radio. Currently, she is the Poet-in-Residence at Homerton College, University of Cambridge. She is a columnist for Tate Etc., the arts magazine published by the Tate network of galleries. Her debut poetry collection Bad Diaspora Poems recently won the 2023 Forward Prize for Best First Collection, as well as an Eric Gregory Prize and Somerset Maugham Award. She is a former Young People’s Poet Laureate for London.