Poetry is popular with young Australians, from pop-up readings to poetry slams
Young poets are performing at poetry slams, pop-up events and salons around Australia – and publishing, too. Who are they – and why is poetry so popular?
In the wake of constant online negativity and artificial intelligence's regimented responses, young Australians are gravitating towards poetry, a raw and authentic form that allows for both introspection and experimentation. According to a 2025 United Kingdom survey, 24% of children and young people (aged eight to 18) read poetry in their spare time at least once a month, and 18% wrote poetry in their free time.
This surge in poetry appreciation extends to Australia, where young people showcase their talents at poetry slams and pop-up events, readings at venues like Sydney's Sappho Books, Cafe and Bar, and the Slugs in the North in Melbourne’s Coburg. Young poets such as 16-year-old K.J. Hayward, who co-won the 2023 Australian Poetry Slam, and 23-year-old Arantza Garcia Ferrand, who will publish her poetic memoir next year, are gaining recognition.
Evelyn Araluen, a Goorie and Koori poet who won the 2017 Nakata Brophy Prize for Young Indigenous Writers and the 2022 Stella Prize for her poetry collection Dropbear, also uses digital platforms like Tumblr and Live Journal to explore her teenage experiences. Young poets are increasingly self-archiving their thoughts and navigating larger cultural histories, a trend evident in their works that tackle themes such as feminism, youth, transition, body image, and settler colonialism.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
