Empowering Young Voices: Poetry Day at ISN🎤📖

Wow – what a night to remember! Last Friday’s Poetry Day Event at ISN was simply unforgettable. The energy in the room was electric, the performances powerful, and the sense of community truly heartwarming.

Under the inspiring theme “My Place in the World – Celebrating Global Identity,” 44 talented young poets from schools across the region took to the stage, expressing their thoughts and emotions in both German and English. From heartfelt reflections on home to bold explorations of identity, each performance was a beautiful reminder of the power of words.

A distinguished jury had the difficult task of selecting 21 finalists. A huge thank you to Florian Arleth (Brot&Kunst Verlag), poet Annette Rieser, and our own ISN educators for lending their time, expertise, and encouragement.

We’re also incredibly grateful to Markus Becherer, who not only led an inspiring poetry workshop with our students, but also guided us through the evening as a warm and charismatic host.

The evening featured more than just poetry:
The ISN Vocal Group offered beautiful musical interludes that added depth and emotion. Students Andrew, Naksh, and Jakub delighted the audience with a graceful performance of “Tanz der Zuckerfee.”
And of course, the highlight of the evening – the poetry itself.

Congratulations to our winners:
Category 1: Grades 6–8 (English)
🥇 Claudia Palarchi (ISN) – “My Home”
🥈 Tommy Ledulé (ISN) – “Home is More Than a Place”

Category 2: Grades 6–8 (German)
🥇 Marie Oster (ISN) – “Schicksal”
🥈 Fiona Dietz (Goethe-Gymnasium Germersheim) – “Mein Platz in der Welt – ein globaler Spaß”

Category 3: Grades 9–12 (English)
🥇 Tobin Sneller (ISN) – “Song of Humanity”
🥈 Helin Tüzün (Max-Slevogt-Gymnasium Landau) – “A Tree with Two Roots”

Category 4: Grades 9–12 (German)
🥇 Lea Gruber (Gymnasium Paul-von-Denis Schifferstadt) – “Mein Platz”
🥈 Finn Hartl (ISN) – “Die Bücherei des Lebens”

Congratulations to all of our finalists, performers, and poets – we are so proud of your courage, creativity, and voices.

And the poetry doesn’t stop here…
🔜 Next up: Don’t miss the Rheinland-Pfalz U20 Poetry Slam Championships on May 16 at Heim’sche Privat-Sektkellerei GmbH!
🎟 Grab your tickets now: heim-sekt.de/events/poetryslam