Activities typically include readings and performances, panel discussions on a broad range of topics, workshops, book launches, film screenings, and international cultural exchanges.
Previous exchange programmes have included partnerships with the Southbank Centre, Poetry Africa, and Moniack Mhor, Scotland's National Writing Center.
The festival also presents an annual poetry slam, a competitive showcase of young, talented spoken word artists and performance poets.
Notable guests include such stalwart pioneers as Nobel Prize winner, Wole Soyinka, J. P. Clark, and Niyi Osundare, Booker Prize winner, Bernardine Evaristo, Kwame Dawes, Chris Abani, Jericho Brown, Lebo Mashile, Titilope Sonuga, Saul Williams, Kola Tubosun, Aja Monet, Danez Smith, Romeo Oriogun, Kaveh Akbar, Raymond Antrobus, Koleka Putuma, Bassey Ikpi, TJ Dema, Rudy Francisco, Inua Ellams, Jumoke Verissimo, Nadine Aisha Jassat, Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Wana Udobang, and many other poets.
It has played a crucial role in the revival of poetry and spoken word as mainstream art forms and has been instrumental in fostering a sense of community among poets and literature enthusiasts.