Event information
Poetic Blues is Bloemfontein’s premium poetry platform. Founded in 2007 by poet, writer and musician, Nthabiseng JahRose Jafta, one of the festival's key missions is the promoton of local languages.
Poetic Blues has attracted performances from big names in the local poetry and literary scene such as Gcina Mhlophe, Lebo Mashile and Napo Masheane.
The event happens every second Friday of the month at the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (Pacofs). It also makes up the poetry programme of the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (Macufe).
Since 2020 the event has streamed regular performances on Facebook. Many shows are specifically curated to commemorate significant holidays and speak to pertinent issues, such as the Poetic Blues Youth Poetry Sessions or Poetic Blues: Poems for 16 days Of Activism against Violence against Women and Children.