National Poet
Together with other literary organizations in Belgium, Passa Porta supports the National Poet during his or her term, on both sides of the language border.
A poetic and prestigious title
Belgium has had a National Poet since January 2014. This honorific title is attributed every two years to a Belgian poet, alternately from the Flemish and French-speaking Community. The title has been conferred to Charles Ducal (2014-15), Laurence Vielle (2016-17), Els Moors (2018-19), Carl Norac (2020-21) and Mustafa Kör (2022-24).
The National Poet is an initiative of the Poëziecentrum in Ghent, La Maison de la Poésie et de la Langue française in Namur, and the literary organization VONK & Zonen in Antwerp. La Maison de la Poésie d’Amay, fiEstival maelstrÖm, Théâtre Poème 2, the Midis de la Poésie in Brussels and Jeugd en Poëzie in Antwerp have also recently lent their support.
Passa Porta also supports the project. Among other things, it hosts the ceremony organized for the transfer of the title from one poet to the next.
During the two-year term, the National Poet must write at least 12 poems. The poems touch on topical subjects or on the history of Belgium and Belgian society.
Translation as a key to literary and cultural exchange
Literary works often only acquire the popularity and dissemination they deserve through translation. Passa Porta ensures the texts of the National Poet are translated, often in the three national languages, through its Translation Collective. The translations are published on our website.
