#about
About the Festival
Organizers: Princeton Public Library; Public Humanities Initiative at the Princeton Public Library; Princeton University Humanities Council
The Princeton Public Library’s Public Humanities Initiative, supported through collaboration with the Princeton University Humanities Council and the National Humanities Center, presents a series of events in celebration of National Poetry Month, National Library Week, and the Being Human Festival (US) 2026.
Events associated with the Being Human Festival (US) 2026 as part of the special project “Between Lines and Stanzas: Ways of Being Human with Poetry” are identified below with the Being Human Festival logo.
Table at the Poetry Marketplace
Apply by the April 26 deadline to table at the Poetry Marketplace on May 2 from 10 a.m. to noon. Invited poets have a chance to sell their books, connect with other poets, and share selections from their work.
#events
Events
Discussion: “Overlooked Stories and Storytellers Discovered,” Part 1
April 18, 10:30 a.m.
Ellen Gilbert presents the first of two reading and discussion sessions exploring the relationship between poetry and storytelling.
Poetry Reading: Dara-Lyn Shrager and Rachel Marie Patterson
April 18, 3 p.m.
Dara-Lyn Shrager reads from “Little Knives,” her new collection of poems. Rachel Marie Patterson, co-founder with Dara-Lyn of the online journal “Radar Poetry,” will also read. Book signing to follow.
Film: “Come See Me in the Good Light”
April 22, 5 p.m.
This documentary follows poets and lovers Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley as they experience the joy and sorrow of what may be their final year together.
Performance: No River Twice
April 22, 5 p.m.
Following a screening of “Come See Me in the Good Light,” the poetry performance group presents poetry readings in response to themes from the film.
Author: Robert Pinsky
April 23, 5:30 p.m.
Former U.S. poet laureate Robert Pinsky presents two forthcoming reissues of his early work, making them available for a new generation of readers.
Teens: Take & Make – Blackout Poetry
April 24, 3 p.m.
Stop by the Teen Center to pick up a kit to make blackout poetry while supplies last.
Discussion: “Overlooked Stories and Storytellers Discovered,” Part 2
April 25, 10:30 a.m.
Ellen Gilbert presents the second of two reading and discussion sessions exploring the relationship between poetry and storytelling.
Open Mic: “Story & Verse:” Porchfest Edition
April 25, noon
Poets, storytellers and spoken word fans are invited to an outdoor edition of the Arts Council of Princeton’s monthly Open Mic for the literary and performing arts.
Special Event: “Poetry in a Burning World”
April 27, 6 p.m.
Poets Katie Farris and Ilya Kaminsky offer a collaborative presentation of their works on deafness, the challenges of facing cancer, and the war in Ukraine. In person and Zoom livestream.
Teens: Craft, Chat and Chill – DIY Magnetic Poetry
April 28, 4:30 p.m.
Join us for a monthly craft and chat hour where teens (grades 6-12) do hands-on projects and chat books, movies, podcasts, music and more
Film: “Hamnet”
April 29, 3 p.m.
In 16th-century rural England, William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes are confronted with the death of their only son. (PG-13; 125 min.)
Special Event: “Hear Our Poetry”
April 29, 6 p.m.
This multilingual poetry reading features readers sharing and hearing poetry from any global language together with an English translation. Readers and listeners alike are welcome to attend. Apply here to read.
Kids: Poem in Your Pocket Workshop
April 30, 4 p.m.
Craft a special pouch to carry, share, or gift a pocket-sized poem in celebration of Poem in Your Pocket Day.
Special Event: “The Poet’s Marketplace”
May 2, 10 a.m.
Poets share their work, connect with other poets and readers, sell personalized copies of books, and share readings in a vibrant forum devoted to the celebration of recently published poetry.
Poem of the Day
Library staff members read a poem every day during April to mark National Poetry Month.
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Book Lists
A selection of titles from the library’s collections is included below, highlighting poets featured in this series of events along with others active in the Princeton area.
Content made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.