Poetry of the People at Wereldmuseum Rotterdam

10 OCT 2025–19 APR 2026 | From protest chants to whispered verses, poetry in West Asia and North Africa speaks across generations. The new exhibition Poetry of the People at Wereldmuseum Rotterdam explores how poetry shapes lives, challenges power and connects communities.

_{Image: Poetry of the People. Credit: Kaka Lee.} 

Poetry as collective memory

Poetry has long held a central place in societies across West Asia and North Africa. Passed down through centuries and across borders, it remains a living art form recited from memory by millions. Poetry of the People highlights influential works that continue to resonate today — showing how poems can inspire joy, resistance and solidarity.

The exhibition runs from 10 October 2025 to 19 April 2026 at Wereldmuseum Rotterdam, following its successful debut in Amsterdam. In a city known for its diversity and international outlook, the show feels right at home.

The power of words

Among the featured works is a 16th-century poem by Pir Sultan Abdal, a revolutionary Turkish poet who spoke for the people and defied the Ottoman Empire. His poem Ötme Bülbül Ötme (“Do not sing, nightingale”) is reinterpreted in song by Dutch-Kurdish artist Meral Polat, who also performs the piece on video within the exhibition.

I became like rivers
separated from the sea,
of an extinguished fire.
I became like roses
that bloomed before their time.
I'm burning, my friend,
from the pain you caused me.
– Pir Sultan Abdal, 16th century

Social impact and creative freedom

The exhibition explores the social impact of poetry from the late 19th century to the present day. More than thirty poems are presented through text, sound, performance, video and installation. Some celebrate love and beauty; others call for freedom and equality.

From the intimacy of a single voice to the collective rhythm of protest chants, Poetry of the People captures the way language unites individuals and movements alike. Visitors will encounter the voices of change-makers, bridge-builders and freedom-seekers — and gain insight into the region’s creativity and cultural richness.

Image: Mohammad Ebrahim, Anthology of Persian Poetry, Qajar period, Iran, 1847. Collection of Wereldmuseum Rotterdam.

A timeless art

The exhibition features works by poets such as Abu al-Qasim al-Shabbi, Dunya Mikhail, Forough Farrokhzad, Mahmoud Darwish, Nazim Hikmet and Rumi. Written in languages including Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, Persian, Tamazight and Turkish, the poems demonstrate the depth and diversity of the region’s literary traditions.

Contemporary artists have also responded to these legacies, including Sara Rajaei, Nour Jaouda, and the collective Slavs and Tatars. Together, they show how poetry continues to inspire new generations of writers, performers and visual artists.

How to get to Wereldmuseum Rotterdam