Le Printemps des Poètes dans l'Aisne

A National Poetry Celebration Across the Department of Aisne

Created in 1999 on the initiative of Jack Lang, by Emmanuel Hoog and André Velter, Le Printemps des Poètes has become the largest national event dedicated to poetry. Every year in March, this celebration brings together over 17 million people across France and in about fifty countries. In Aisne, the event unfolds through a dense network of media libraries, municipal libraries, and cultural venues, under the coordination of the Aisne Lecture Publique service and the Bibliothèque Départementale de l'Aisne (BDA), attached to the Departmental Council of Aisne.

A Territorial Network Serving Poetry

The strength of Le Printemps des Poètes dans l'Aisne lies in its territorial network. The BDA network irrigates over 110 establishments spread throughout the department: municipal libraries, reading points, and rural relays. During the festival weeks, these places become poetic stages. The main participating cities are Laon (prefecture), Saint-Quentin, Soissons, Château-Thierry, Chauny, Tergnier, and Mont-Notre-Dame, but many smaller towns also host activities.

A Rich and Participatory Program

The program of Le Printemps des Poètes dans l'Aisne combines various formats: public readings of classical and contemporary poems, creative writing workshops for adults and children, exhibitions combining text and visual arts, poetic concerts associating music and recitation, live performances, and poetry contests open to all. The media library of Saint-Quentin notably offers creative workshops (poetic flower pots, writing), accompanied readings with a double bass, and carte blanche events with the conservatory. In Chauny, the André Malraux media library hosts exhibitions such as “Poèmes en Paysages” and calligraphy workshops. The association La Nostra organizes a poetry contest and public readings in the church of Mont-Notre-Dame, involving schoolchildren and local musicians.

Unifying Themes Renewed Annually

Each edition of Le Printemps des Poètes revolves around a national theme that inspires the entire program. After “La Grâce” (Grace) in 2024 (26th edition) and “La Poésie. Volcanique” (Poetry. Volcanic) in 2025 (27th edition), the 28th edition in 2026 explores the theme “La Liberté. Force vive, déployée” (Freedom. Living force, deployed), under the patronage of Isabelle Adjani and the artistic direction of Linda Maria Baros. These universal themes allow each local structure to embrace them freely, fostering creativity and public engagement for all ages.

A Free Event, Open to All, and Deeply Rooted in the Territory

Le Printemps des Poètes dans l'Aisne is an entirely free event, open to all audiences, from the youngest to the oldest. It is part of the public reading development policy led by the Departmental Council of Aisne and benefits from the support of local authorities, the National Education system (via the DRAEAC of Amiens), and the National Book Center. School establishments in the department actively participate in the event, with educational projects around poetry conducted throughout the year.