Platforms for Creative Growth
Poetavango creates platforms where artists can grow, audiences can connect and communities can experience the power of the arts. Our programmes span live performance, literature, music, storytelling, cultural tourism, youth development, workshops and international exchange.
Nine platforms, one movement
Maun International Arts Festival
A flagship celebration of theatre, poetry, comedy, live music, dance, literature and visual arts.
Poetic Wordsdays
Weekly Wednesday poetry evenings for spoken word, acoustic music, comedy and open mic expression.
Acoustic Sessions
A digital performance channel helping artists share music, poetry and storytelling beyond Maun.
Annual Literary Award
A platform encouraging Batswana writers to write, submit, compete and grow local literature.
Writers’ Camp
A one-week residency giving writers skills, space, focus and creative mentorship.
Capacity Building
Workshops, symposiums and panels equipping artists with practical creative and professional skills.
Youth & Community Outreach
School and community projects using arts and storytelling to educate, empower and engage young people.
Art Tourism & Culture
Cultural experiences connecting visitors to the people, stories, food, voices and creative life of Maun.
International Exchange
Opportunities for learning, benchmarking and cultural collaboration across borders.
More than a stage
Every Poetavango programme is designed to do more than stage an event. Our work develops artists, encourages reading and writing, creates safe recreational spaces, promotes cultural diversity, supports youth development and adds cultural depth to Botswana’s tourism story.
Long-term cultural projects
These initiatives connect heritage, creative livelihoods, environmental awareness and community voice through sustained collaboration.
Ngamiland Creative Network
A CIPA and NCONGO-supported initiative linking artists, organisations and opportunities across Ngamiland.
Living Heritage: Resonances Across Generations
A Goethe-Institut and European Union-supported project connecting cultural memory with contemporary creative practice.
Amplifying Delta Voices
Supported by the Commonwealth Foundation, this project uses art for environmental and social change in the Okavango region.
Performance platforms and exchange
Regular and seasonal platforms give artists space to perform, compete, collaborate and connect with audiences locally and internationally.
Around the Fire
Intimate poetry, storytelling and acoustic music sessions at the Nhabe Museum, followed by an open microphone segment.
Black History Word’ebration
An annual showcase using word and performance to engage with Black history, identity and creative expression.
Cold Bold Winter Words
A seasonal winter performance series for spoken word, literature and live creative exchange.
100 Thousand Poets for Change
Poetavango’s participation in a global advocacy movement using poetry and performance to engage with social change.
National Slam Championship Botswana
A national poetry competition that identifies Botswana’s representative for the Africa Cup of Slam Poetry.
International exchange
Creative delegations and collaborations have connected Poetavango with participants from the United States, Russia, Bulgaria, Hungary, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Indonesia.