Slamovision returns in 2026 to wow audiences worldwide
Are you ready for the finest spoken word artists across twenty one UNESCO Cities of Literature to go head to head?
Join us for a celebration of international slam poetry live and online from Iowa City on 1st November.
UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature use creativity and culture to promote the social, economic and cultural development of their cities. In these times of global uncertainty, the network continues to connect literary communities across the world, forging bonds through the power of books, words and ideas. On November 1st livestreamed via YouTube from James Theater in Iowa City at 2pm (UTC/GMT -6) UNESCO Cities of Literature will put forward their finest selected slam poet to represent them in the Slamovision Grand Finale’s 8th year.
This will be the largest Slamovision to date, and possibly the most competitive yet. Each finalist will have got through at least one local heat for the chance to represent their city, and be primed to compete for the coveted title of champion. Iowa City are hosting after winning Slamovision 2025 last year with ‘Jack in the Box’ by Henry Morray.
The ‘Eurovision for the Spoken Word’ has been contested since 2019 and is aimed at increasing cultural participation within individual cities, as well as showcasing local talent on an international stage.
A record twenty one Cities of Literature are participating in Slamovision 2026, many for the first time: Angouleme (France), Bremen (Germany), Dublin (Ireland), Edinburgh (UK), Exeter (UK), Gdansk (Poland), Gothenburg (Sweden),Heidelberg (Germany), Hobart (Australia), Iowa City (US), Krakow (Poland), Kutaisi (Georgia), Lyon (France), Manchester (UK), Nottingham (UK), Odesa (Ukraine), Québec City (Canada), Taif (Saudi Arabia), Tartu (Estonia), Vilnius (Lithuania) and Wroclaw (Poland).
Exeter’s entrant for Slamovision 2026 is: Casey Garfield
Following their win at City Slam earlier this year, Casey Garfield will represent Exeter at Slamovision this November.
Casey Garfield has been a featured poet at events such as Spork!, Polari Literary Salon, and SOUND: Plymouth Poetry Festival. They have facilitated workshops for Exeter Pride and the NHS Wellbeing Service.
While their poems have been published in multiple collections and on Stagecoach and First Bus services around Plymouth, their current proudest publication is the zine series titled ‘Casey Garfield would like to be the Bard of Exeter please’, having given out over 150 free zines of Exeter-inspired poems across the city they love.
John Kenyon, Director, Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature says:
“We were thrilled with Henry's win last year and are proud to be hosting this year's finale event. Now that we have a feel for how to run things, we would love to be home to the winner for a second year in a row, but do wish all of the poet's the best of luck. We look forward to the continued growth of this international showcase for all of the slam poets in our network.”
To see the full list of poets participating in Slamovision 2026 see the official website here: https://slamovision.com/. To tune in to the livestream on 1st November, please visit Iowa City of Literature’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@iowacityoflit
