It’s time to celebrate World Poetry Day… in SPACE!
Poetry has been a part of every culture since the dawn of time. It’s how people shared thoughts, feelings,
and even stories with those around them. Even today, a poem can connect us across countries and continents, reminding us of our collective humanity.
This year, we’re taking it one step further as we bridge the gap between outer space and Earth.
Watch as astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi comes together with Voices of Future Generations and performance poets Dr. Afra Atiq and Harry Baker to bring poetry to the next frontier.
We then explore the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and their relevance to us as a planet. We also hear the first poem written in space: a slam haiku by Wakata Koichi
Join our out-of-this-world celebration by writing and sharing your poems with everyone! Post them on Instagram and tag #ELFInSpace so the astronauts can read them and share them!
Voices of Future Generations is a unique writing initiative launched under the patronage of UNESCO. It was created to promote Sustainability and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child through a creative writing competition for young children. The competition was first launched in the Middle East in 2019, with support from Emirates Literature Foundation.
The 2023 competition is now open to all children aged between 8 and 12 residing in the Gulf region. Entries can be in either Arabic or English. They should be between 600 and 1,500 words long, and feature the writer’s hopes, dreams and aspirations for a sustainable future, including at least one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. More information can be found on the Voices of Future Generations website, vofg.vofgarabia.org.