For those with an interest in poetry, whether a reader or a budding poet, you may be interested in Bristols poetry festival which celebrates the world of poetry from 4th - 14th September 2008.

The week begins with festival can openers at 12.00, hosted by Claire Williamson. At 8pm the Arnolfini hosts the Special Places poetry and photography show with Lucy English and Sally Mundy.

Maura Dooley, Jane Griffiths and Jacob Polley are at the Arnolfini from 8pm

The Poetry Films Event will be held at the Arnolfini at 3pm. Then at 8pm the Bristol Poetry Festival Poetry Slam will occur between Bristol and Liverpool.

3pm at the Arnolfini brings Poetry in Translation, with Robert Minhinnick and W N Herbert. Martin Orwin talks to W N Herbert about his translations of Somali poet Gaarriye's work. Then at 8pm we have the Launch of Claire Williamson's 'The Soul Water Pool', and Rose Flint Presents her latest collection.

Halo café/bar hosts Acoustic Night Instant Anthology at 8pm.

Aeronwy Thomas features at the Lansdown Poetry Night Special, taking place at the Lansdown at 8pm.

Rhyme Against Reason at the Arnolfini at 8pm, with David Johnson, Kate Fox, Mike Scott and John Christopher Wood.

Join Lavinia Greenlaw, David Morley and Alison Hallet at the Arnolfini at 8pm.

Join Anne Stevenson, Mimi Kalvhati and Denise McSheehy at the Arnolfini at 8pm.

Gabeba Baderoon and Rustum Kozain host 'The Point of Poetry' at 3pm at the Arnolfini, where they discuss the state of South African poetry. The pair are joined at 8pm by Isobel Dixon to look at South African Poetry.

The Children's Poetry Event is held at 3pm at the Arnolfini but is yet to be confirmed. At 8pm, Simon Armitage and Zoe Brigley appear at the Arnolfini.

That is the line up for the weeks poetry related events. For more information about poetry in the south west, or poetry related competitions and events please visit http://www.poetrycan.co.uk