The First Ever HOBART POETRY CUP
WHERE: 132 Elizabeth St, 132 Elizabeth St, Hobart TAS 7000
COST: $15
Start: 7 pm
Sixty seconds. One poem. What will you say?
For more than four decades, the Launceston Poetry Cup has been one of Tasmania’s great poetry traditions, a gloriously unpredictable annual contest where poets have just 60 seconds to win over a live audience.
Now, after 42 years in Launceston, the Poetry Cup is heading south for the very first Hobart Poetry Cup.
And be warned: this is not just another poetry slam.
The Poetry Cup has always been a little more irreverent, a little more ridiculous and a lot less concerned with being cool. You don't need to deliver the most profound poem in the room. You don't need to be terribly serious. You don't even necessarily need to be a "poet".
Funny is good. Cheeky is good. Clever, strange, heartfelt, outrageous, absurd or completely unexpected. Go for the laugh. Go for the gasp. Go for glory.
How do you win? The crowd decides. The biggest audience response wins the Cup.
Come to perform, cheer, or heckle* and make some noise, or grab a drink and watch a roomful of people attempt to win eternal poetic glory in sixty seconds.
-
This Australian Poetry Slam event is presented by Word Travels.
Content Warning: Most Poetry Slams are all ages and some content may not be suitable for children. Performances may include strong language and / or adult themes.
Event times local time.
-
This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW. Also supported by State Library NSW, Ubud Writers and Readers Festival and Byron Writers Festival.
APS 2026 NSW State Final artwork features performing writer DEFNE and performing writers In Other Words. Artwork design: APS 2026 artwork design: Rachel Stone Designs, DEFNE and Adara Enthaler. Concept: Miles Merrill and the Word Travels team. Poem excerpt in design: APS Champion 2025 – Arantza Garcia Ferrand.
Image of DEFNE in artwork – photo credit: DEFNE.
Image of In Other Words in artwork – photo credit: Light Navigating Studio.
Photo of DEFNE – photo credit: Jo Mills.
Photo of In Other Words – photo credit: Light Navigating Studio.
Photo of Abe Irhia – DJ ABE – photo credit: DefinitelyDefne Photography.
