Poetry International Festival: Taking Part in the cultural heart of Rotterdam.
Volunteer at the LantarenVenster helping the organisation by scanning tickets, welcoming guests and assisting with activities! More information below ⬇️
This event:
The Poetry International Festival is one of the most iconic literary events in Rotterdam, bringing together poets from all around the world to share their most recent work. This year marks the 55th edition of the festival, which will take place from June 12 to 15, 2025.
📌 Volunteers are also needed in the days leading up to the festival (June 9–11) to assist with special welcome duties.
The organiser:
The event is organized by Poetry International, a long-standing institution that has celebrated global poetry since 1970. The organization is known for creating unique encounters between poets and audiences through performances, readings, and discussions.
Your role:
As a volunteer, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring the festival is success by engaging in various tasks, including:
🎟 Ticket Sales and Scanning: Manage ticket transactions and assist visitors with entry.
👋 Audience Facilitator: Help guide guests to the right locations, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels welcome and informed.
🏃 Runner: The go-to helper! Assist with quick errands, deliveries, and solving last-minute backstage or venue issues — perfect for someone who enjoys being on the move and helping wherever needed.
🍽 Lunch/Dinner Crew: Help prepare, serve, and manage meals for artists and crew. A great fit if you like working behind the scenes and supporting the team with hospitality.
👀 Hall Watch: Keep an eye on performance spaces. Help ensure the hall stays quiet, clean, and safe during performances, and support guests with seating and etiquette.
🚃 Artist Assistance (Pick-up/Drop-off): Pick up poets from Rotterdam Central Station or the airport and accompany them to their hotels. A rare and meaningful opportunity to chat with international artists one-on-one!
Beginner Level — No prior experience is needed, all volunteers will be briefed before their shift (about 6 hours). Check this out before signing up.
➕ Direct perks:
🎟 Free access to the festival (before/after your shift)
👕 A Poetry International crew shirt
🍽 A meal (lunch or dinner, depending on your shift)
🎉 Access to the Sunday afterparty
🤝 Message from the organiser:
“Dear future volunteer of Poetry International!
At this festival, poets from all over the world (hence the name) travel to Rotterdam to share their most recent work. This year marks the 55th edition, so of course we’re going all out!
The festival takes place from the 12th to the 15th of June. We’re looking for volunteers to help with ticket sales, guiding the audience to performances, and assisting backstage. We’re also looking for volunteers who would like to pick up poets from the train station or airport in the week leading up to the festival and bring them to their hotel a unique opportunity to have a conversation with one of the poets!
No prior experience is needed, you will receive a briefing before your shift. Your shift will be approximately 6 hours.
In return you get:
1. access to the festival before and/or after your shift.
2. a Poetry International crew shirt
3. a meal (depending on your shift it might be lunch or dinner)
4. the afterparty on Sunday! ”
9 spots remaining!