By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Edo State is experiencing a literary renaissance, with the Battle of Stanzas initiative aiming to revive its rich cultural heritage through poetry.
Naija Poetry Fest in collaboration with the Benin Writers Society is leading this movement to make Edo a place for literary innovation and creativity.
The Battle of Stanzas seeks to inspire a new generation of writers, poets, and thinkers, provide platforms for emerging and established voices, elevate Edo’s creative industry through spoken word, performance poetry, and literary innovation, and lastly, foster cultural tourism through art-driven festivals and literary showcases.
This initiative is just the beginning of a larger literary movement, which includes: Launching “Stanzas from the Bronze Capital” (a community-driven poetry anthology), Positioning Edo State as a yearly place for literary tourism, and Creating literary clubs, school outreaches, and writing fellowships.
According to the chief organizers, Godson Osarenren and Douglas Ogbankwa, this event will have a lasting impact on Nigeria’s literary landscape.
Naija Poetry Fest and the Benin Writers Society invite poets and literary voices to submit original works for inclusion in the historic anthology “Stanzas from the Bronze Capital.” The anthology will capture reflections, dreams, and stories inspired by Benin City, its people, its culture, and its creative pulse.
Key themes that are welcome in the poems are:
- History, mythology, and cultural pride of Edo.
- Voices of the present generation-its struggles, hopes, and evolving identity.
- Stories of resistance, resilience, and renaissance.
- Celebrations of art, tradition, language, and ancestry.
- Urban metaphors, rustic imagery, and futuristic visions rooted in Benin.
The rules of submission are: Submit 1–3 original poems (unpublished or self-published acceptable), Poems must be in English or include English translations if in a native language, the format should be .doc, .docx, or PDF, include a short bio(max 100 words) and your location in the email body.
The deadline for submission is August 5th, 2025 (Midnight WAT). Submissions should be sent to: naijapoetryfest@gmail.com. The subject should be Anthology Submission – Stanzas from the Bronze Capital.
Selected contributors will be featured in the published anthology, and the official launch will take place during the Battle of Stanzas on Saturday, August 30th, 2025, at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Benin City.
