Jaleh Esfahani’s Sixteenth Poetry Prize: Sunday 31 May 2026 at SOAS

The 19th anuual event and the finale of the 16th Persian Poetry Prize Festival organised by the Jaleh Esfahani Cultural Foundation (JECF) will be on Sunday 31st May 2026. The winners of the prize will be announced during this unique ceremony. This event is hosted by the Centre for Iranian Studies at SOAS University of London at Djam Lecture Thatre, at SOAS main building, Russell Square SW1H 0XG. Dr Katayoun Shahndeh, a teaching fellow and lecturer at SOAS, will represents both the SOAS CIS and the JECF, to welcome the audience who attend in person as well as online, from around the world. Mr Reza Mohammadi, a wellknown poet from Afghanistan and one of the prize judges will talk about the prize and its impact on the young poets across the the persinate countries, namely Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, other Central Asian counyries, and the diaspora. Music from the persinate region, will be performed by Risha group, with members from acroos the Persian speaking countries. Mr Hossein Hadisi, an Iranian composer, will present the music he has composed to celebrate the poems by some of the selected young poets. There will also be a reception. THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD IN PERSIAN. For more information see Persian pages here.

All are welcom. Tickets are free, but reservation is required. Click here to book your ticket.

Part of the event’s expenses is covered by a grant from the National Lottery, Community Fund, which is much appreciated.