Contains Strong Language © BBC

Contains Strong Language

The UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival of new writing returned to Hull in September 2018. Bringing over 30 events to the city over three days, leading poets and world class spoken word artists took to the stage alongside brand new voices.

Contains Strong Language was originally planned to return in 2019, but the interest and excitement generated last year forced a re-think. In returning to Hull, Contains Strong Language provides a legacy from Hull 2017 demonstrating that Hull’s reputation as a vibrant creative and innovative city – a poetry city, continues to grow.

The festival welcomed 18 poets – the Hull 18 – along with artists, local, national and international to join in this celebration of poetry and spoken word.

Contains Strong Language is the BBC’s national poetry and spoken word festival, with coverage on national and local radio and TV. It is a partnership between the BBC, Wrecking Ball Press, The Arts Council, Absolutely Cultured, 14-18 NOW and The British Council.

Past events