IN OUR WORDS is a year-long festival of literature, literacy, and storytelling – designed to inspire, engage, and connect people of all ages.
From celebrating Portsmouth’s famous literary figures to everyday reading In Our Words will bring books, writing, and creativity to life through events, workshops, and community-driven projects.
Whether you’re a book lover, aspiring writer, or want to read more but unsure where to start this is your year to discover, learn, and share in the power of words!
Coming to an event?
Get ready for a fantastic lineup of literary experiences, from author talks and poetry slams to interactive storytelling, creative writing workshops, and family-friendly book-themed events. Whether you’re here to listen, learn, or create, there’s something for everyone!
Want to contribute?
We’re calling on writers, artists, educators, and community groups to bring fresh, bold, and creative ideas to the programme. If you have a passion for words and storytelling, this is your chance to shape Portsmouth’s literary legacy. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember! Email projects@portsmouthcreates.co.uk for more information.
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TIGER BOAT TALES: STORY SESSIONS – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Tigerboat Tales: Story Sessions
Date: Thursday 26th June, and 3rd/10th/17th July
Time: 10.30-11.30 and 12.30-1.30
Location: North End Library
Cost: Free!
Ages: 2-5 years
WHISPERS FROM THE WILD: A QUEER NATURE WRITING WORKSHOP- IN OUR WORDS 2025
Whispers from The Wild: A Queer Nature Writing Workshop
Date: 4th July
Time: 18:00-19:30
Location: Online
Cost: Free!
Age: All ages welcome!
An online workshop exploring how we can use writing to connect to ourselves and the earth.
MONSTERS FROM THE CLOSET: A QUEER HORROR WORKSHOP – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Monsters From the Closet: A Queer Horror Workshop
Date & time: 17th July, 16:00-18:00 (in-person) & 23rd July, 18:00-20:00 (online)
Location: In-person – Panero Lounge, Southsea
Cost: Free!
Ages: 16+
A 2-hour online session exploring the rich history of queer horror writing and the power of harnessing what scares us.
YEAR 5 BOOK AWARDS – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Hundreds of Year 5 pupils from across Portsmouth came together at the Kings Theatre on Wednesday 25 June to celebrate a shared love of reading at the annual Year 5 Book Awards…
ADVENTURES FROM THE POTTING SHED! – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Adventures from the potting shed!
Date & time: Friday 22nd & 23rd August (14:30 – 15:00pm)
Date & time: Sunday 24th August (15:15 – 15:45)
Location: Victorious (Kids Stage)
Cost: Free with a Victorious ticket
Age range: Family audiences 4-11 years
Join Rachella the Storyteller and her puppet friends for magical tales live on stage or online with fun, free activity worksheets for kids!
FROM THE HEART – IN OUR WORDS 2025
From The Heart
Date: Thursday 2 October 2025
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: The Square Tower, Portsmouth
Cost: £5
MEET MAJID: A VOICE AT THE HEART OF REFUGEE WEEK
As we approach Refugee Week 2025, we invite you to be part of a city-wide celebration of resilience, community, and the transformative power of storytelling…
MEET PORTSMOUTH’S WRITERS, POETS & WORDSMITHS
MEET PORTSMOUTH’S WRITERS, POETS & WORDSMITHS
As part of In Our Words our city-wide celebration of literature, language and storytelling and through the Portsmouth Creative Directory, we’re proud to shine a light on the brilliant writers, poets and wordsmiths shaping Portsmouth’s creative voice.
A PORTSMOUTH MUSICAL ADVENTURE – IN OUR WORDS 2025
A Portsmouth Musical Adventure
Date: 16th June 1.30-2.30 Paulsgrove Library
20th June 10-11am Carnegie Library
27th June 10-11am Central Library
11th July 10-11am Southsea Library
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: Free!
Age: 0-5
A PORTSMOUTH MUSICAL ADVENTURE (EYFS SETTINGS) – IN OUR WORDS 2025
A Portsmouth Musical Adventure (EYFS settings)
16th June – 9.30-10.30 Little Bears pre-school,
11-12 St Paul’s EYFS
23rd June 9.30-11 Bramble Infants & 1.30-3 Penbridge Infants
Cost: Free!
Age: 0-5
PORTRAIT OF A QUEER WOMAN ON FIRE – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Portrait of a Queer Woman on Fire: Self-expression through Creative Writing and Visual Art for LGBTQIA+ women
Date: Sunday 22 June, Sunday 20 July, Sunday 17 August, and Sunday 28 September
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: The Green House, Victoria Park
Cost: £60 (for all 4 days)
Age: 18+
A celebration of LGBTQIA+ women’s identities through creative writing and visual arts.
BIG SCREEN POETRY- IN OUR WORDS 2025
Big Screen Poetry
Submissions: 21st March- 27th June.
Screening Thursday 2nd October for World Poetry Day
Time: 02/10/25 Video Screenings 7am-11pm
Cost: Free!
Age: Under 18’s may enter the competition via The Base Guildhall
To celebrate the magic of World Poetry Day, Pompey Poetry Party invites local poets to share their work on ‘The Big Screen.”
A HUGE THANK YOU TO SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY AND STAGECOACH SOUTH FOR SUPPORTING IN OUR WORDS
The invaluable support of South Western Railway and Stagecoach South, whose generous contributions ensured that children from across Portsmouth could attend the launch event…
IN OUR WORDS LAUNCHES WITH OVER 350 LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN
IN OUR WORD is a year-long festival of literature, literacy, and storytelling – launches with over 350 children at Fratton Park with famous author…
IN OUR WORDS – GET INVOLVED IN PORTSMOUTH’S 2025 YEAR OF LITERATURE
We invite artists, writers, performers, and community groups to take part in a year-long celebration of Portsmouth’s rich literary heritage and future – IN OUR WORDS…
