The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) on Panepistimiou St invites poetry lovers to participate in an open readings marathon on Thursday, March 21, on occasion of World Poetry Day.

The event, organized in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens, will be open from 10am to 10pm to all poetry lovers who will have a chance to read in any language.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said Thursday’s Poetry Marathon marks the beginning of a series of educational, cultural, and artistic activities organized in collaboration with the NKUA.

He invited Athenians and visitors to participate in the events aimed at “celebrating the wealth of human expression and honoring our cultural heritage”.

On the same day at 8 p.m. in the university’s central hall, writer and artist Ioulita Iliopoulou will read poetry by Greece’s Nobel Prize-winning poet Odysseas Elytis (1911-1996) to the accompaniment of music he loved. Iliopoulou was Elytis’ partner.

Interested in participating? Your poem should be no longer that 3 minutes when read and you should apply here.

On the same day, Athens Friendship Centers will be welcoming seniors for a Senior Citizens’ Poetry Competition.