This is Poetry : Caudan Arts Festival Special Edition

For this special edition, This is Poetry leaves the walls of the Caudan Arts Centre and heads outdoors, to the garden of the Blue Penny Museum, for an evening of poetry under the stars. 

Presented as part of the Caudan Arts Festival, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Le Caudan Waterfront, this edition invites poets and writers to explore the stories, places and memories that have shaped the waterfront and the city of Port-Louis. 

From personal recollections to collective memories, from the treasures of our past to the heritage that surrounds us, this is an invitation to put into words our relationship with a place that has been part of Mauritian life for three decades. 

Moderated by poet Rebecca D’Souza, the evening will bring together selected voices to share their original works in English, French or Kreol, through verse, prose and spoken word. 

Whether you have a story to tell, a memory to revisit or a few verses to share, this is your opportunity to lend your voice to the celebrations and become part of the Caudan Arts Festival. 

How to participate 

For this special edition, we are inviting submissions of original texts inspired by one or more of the following themes: 

• Le Caudan Waterfront 

• Port-Louis 

• The Port 

• The Waterfront 

• Memories, both collective and individual 

• Treasures 

• Heritage 

Submission guidelines 

• Only original texts written by the participant will be accepted. 

• Texts must relate to at least one of the themes listed above. 

• Submissions are welcome in English, French or Kreol. 

• Each reading must not exceed 5 minutes. 

• All texts must be submitted through the online submission platform by 15th November 2026 at midnight. 

• Submissions will be reviewed, and only selected authors will be invited to perform their texts at the event on 20th November 2026 as from 19:00. 

Come join us for an evening of poetry under the stars, celebrating the places, people and stories that make up our shared heritage. 

Caudan Arts Centre management reserves the right to reject submissions that do not comply with the participation guidelines or are not aligned with its values.