SPOKEN WORD • MUSIC • CULTURE

One Word. One Aim.
One Destiny.

Born in Maun and rooted in the Okavango, Poetavango is a creative movement where poetry, music, storytelling, literature, visual arts and culture meet.

2008
FOUNDED IN MAUN

Born from poetry. Grown into a creative movement.

Poetavango began as a spoken word and poetry movement in Maun and has grown into a multidisciplinary arts collective connecting performers, writers, musicians, visual artists, youth, communities and cultural partners.

Six Creative Pillars, One Movement

Spoken Word & Performance

Live poetry, theatre and stage performance rooted in the power of voice.

Music & Acoustic Sessions

Intimate acoustic performances that turn songs and sound into a digital stage.

Literature & Writing

Creative writing, storytelling and literary development for Botswana’s writers.

Visual Arts

Exhibitions, workshops and showcases for painters, crafters and visual storytellers.

Youth & Community

Outreach, storytelling and skills programmes that put creativity to work for communities.

Art Tourism & Culture

Cultural experiences that connect visitors to Maun through performance and place.

Platforms for Creative Growth

Performers on stage at the Maun International Arts Festival

Maun International Arts Festival

Poetavango’s flagship celebration of poetry, theatre, comedy, music, dance and visual arts.

A performer reciting spoken word at Poetavango

Poetic Wordsdays

Weekly Wednesday evenings of spoken word, acoustic music, comedy and open mic expression.

Musicians performing at a Poetavango acoustic session

Acoustic Sessions

A digital performance channel sharing music, poetry and storytelling beyond Maun.

Participants in a Poetavango training session

Writers’ Camp

A one-week residency giving Botswana’s writers space, skills and creative mentorship.

Group discussion during a Poetavango skills consultation

Annual Literary Award

A platform encouraging Batswana writers to write, submit and grow local literature.

Youth group taking part in a Poetavango grassroots skills programme

Outreach Projects

School and community projects using storytelling and creativity to educate and empower.

Maun International Arts Festival

A flagship cultural platform celebrating poetry, music, theatre, comedy, dance, visual arts, literature and community creativity in Maun.

A digital stage for music, poetry and storytelling.

Watch intimate performances from poets, musicians and storytellers, recorded to take Maun’s creative voices to audiences in Botswana and beyond.

Acoustic Sessions with LashesOfSteel
Behind the Sound
Around the Fire
Musicians walking with instrument cases along a Maun road

Beyond the Delta: experience Maun through art.

Maun is known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta, but its people, voices, food, languages and stories are also part of the journey. Poetavango creates cultural moments where visitors meet the community and experience the creative life of Maun.

18+ years of creative work.Since 2008, Poetavango has grown into a multidisciplinary movement of artists, writers and musicians — reaching communities through youth outreach, and connecting Maun to cultural and tourism partners across borders.

Partner with a movement rooted in culture, creativity and community.