Night of Poetry 2026 in Kraków: 16th Edition Summary

From 9 to 11 October 2026, Kraków hosted the 16th edition of the Night of Poetry (Noc Poezji). Under the motto “Flash of a Revolver,” the programme focused on crime fiction, crime and the darker sides of poetry. Organizers prepared more than 80 events in different parts of the city.

In brief

• The 16th edition of the Night of Poetry took place in Kraków from 9 to 11 October 2026.
• The main theme was crime fiction, crime and the darker sides of poetry, captured in the motto “Flash of a Revolver.”
• The programme included more than 80 events aimed at children, young people, adults, seniors and families.
• Events took place in many districts of Kraków, not only in the city centre.
• The materials did not give a combined number of participants or attendance figures.

Motto and main theme

This year’s 16th edition of the Night of Poetry took place in Kraków from 9 to 11 October 2026. Its main theme was crime fiction, crime and the darker sides of poetry, all brought together under the motto “Flash of a Revolver.” Crime-related themes ran through different parts of the programme, as shown by the “Investigation Between the Lines” urban game planned by Biblioteka Kraków (Kraków Library).

The programme combined traditional literary meetings with less conventional formats. As stated in the materials, some events used new media, including cyberpoetry, while others were performative or took the form of urban games.

Programme: more than 80 events

The programme included more than 80 events in different parts of the city. They included, among others:

• author meetings and poetry readings
• book premieres
• literary and visual arts workshops
• city walks and urban games
• performances and performative readings
• stage performances
• poetry slams and poetry competitions
• events using new media, including cyberpoetry

9th Sign-Language Night of Poetry

One of the highlights of the programme was the 9th Sign-Language Night of Poetry, under the motto “Crime Poetry in Sign Language.” The event was planned at Klub Płaszów – Centrum Kultury Podgórza, ul. Gumniskiej 32.

The announcements also listed other venues: Klub K2O at ul. Wizjonerów 2, a studio at ul. Sarego 10/7, Spółdzielnia Ogniwo at ul. Smolki 11a and the “Sztuka na wynos” space at ul. Starowiślna 55/6.

Biblioteka Kraków in the programme

Biblioteka Kraków was also involved in the programme. Its events took place on 9 and 10 October at several branches and at the Journalists’ Club “Pod Gruszką.” Planned activities included author meetings, a spoken-word and music montage, collage workshops and the “Investigation Between the Lines” urban game mentioned above.

Tradition and purpose of the event

The Night of Poetry has been organized in Kraków since 2011. Its goal is to promote poetry and to bring together residents and local creative communities around the culture of the word. The event includes traditional literary meetings as well as workshops, performative actions, walks and urban games.

The available materials did not give a combined number of participants or attendance figures after the event. Detailed meeting times were published in city programme materials before the event.

Frequently asked questions

Key facts

• The 16th Night of Poetry took place in Kraków on 9–11 October 2026 under the motto “Flash of a Revolver.”
• The programme included more than 80 events across many districts, including the 9th Sign-Language Night of Poetry at Klub Płaszów.
• Biblioteka Kraków organized meetings, workshops and an urban game at several branches.

Source: krakow.pl