The First Citizens National Poetry Slam (FCNPS) auditions are back, opening the door for poets across Trinidad and Tobago to step into the spotlight and leave their mark on the most anticipated spoken word stage in the Caribbean.
As the closing event of the annual literary festival hosted by the Bocas Lit Fest, the Slam promises to bring down the curtain on the festival with its trademark mix of electrifying performances and fierce competition.
The Bocas Lit Fest, running from May 1–4, 2025, will celebrate its 15th anniversary this
year, highlighting 15 years of the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature.
Audition dates for the 2025 Slam have been scheduled across Trinidad and Tobago for:
● Saturday 15 February at NALIS, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, 10 am to 4 pm
● Sunday 16 February at Boba and Brew, Gopaul Lands, Marabella 10 am to 2 pm
● Friday 21 February at East Yard, 27 Prince Street, Arima, 5.30 to 8pm
● Sunday 23 February at the Scarborough Public Library, Tobago 10 am to 2 pm
Registration is open on the Bocas Lit Fest website, giving aspiring wordsmiths a chance to take on the reigning champion, Shakira Burton, and vie for the coveted Slam title.
The First Citizens National Poetry Slam has become a cultural phenomenon, offering a platform for powerful expression. Each year, poets captivate audiences with themes that resonate deeply, tackling everything from personal stories to urgent societal issues.
Beyond the thrill of the competition, the Slam has become a welcoming stage for artistic excellence, inspiring emerging spoken word artists and engaging a diverse, intergenerational audience.
Aspiring poets eager to share their voices are invited to sign up for the auditions.
For more information and to register visit bocaslitfest.com/poetry-slam and follow @nationalslamtt on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.
The First Citizens National Poetry Slam is a flagship event of the Bocas Lit Fest and is sponsored by First Citizens.
