There are moments in life that remind you why you started something in the first place. For me, World Poetry Project was one of them.
A few months ago, we opened up applications for a global poetry residency, unsure of what would come our way. We simply knew we wanted to create a space-online, yes, but also intimate and real.
We wanted poets to come together, learn, share, and eventually, be published in a book that would travel across borders.
What followed blew us away.
We received 3,839 applications from across the world. And after reading through thousands of poems- some raw, some refined, all deeply honest, we selected 100 poets to join us on this journey.
Click here to find out more about the poets of World Poetry Project 2025
Over three days, we hosted live online sessions that went far beyond tips and tricks. Yes, we spoke about how to get international gigs, how to grow a global readership, and what it really takes to tour as a poet—but something deeper was happening in those Zoom rooms.
Day 1: World Poetry Project
People opened up. They listened. They cried. They clapped for strangers. By the end of the sessions, you could feel something had shifted—not just for the poets, but for us as facilitators too.
And then came the performances.
Each evening, poets took the virtual stage to share their work. The energy was electric—vulnerable, bold, defiant, soft. It’s hard to describe what it felt like to witness so many voices finding space, one after the other, with full-hearted attention.
One poet said, “This was the first time I felt like my words mattered beyond my own journal.” That line stayed with me.
Once the sessions ended, the work of putting together the anthology began. And now, we’re proud (and honestly, a little emotional) to share that the book is finally out.
Across Latitude & Language is a collection of all 100 poets from the program—diverse in geography, style, language, and life experience. Each page carries the weight of their voice, their history, their becoming.
What makes the book even more special is that it features celebrated voices like Nandana Dev Sen, BBC presenter and poet Shruti Chauhan, and Saumya Choudhury, poet and founder of Delhi Poetry Slam—whose presence added inspiration and depth to the whole experience.
The book is now available for purchase—and every copy sold helps support the dream of poetry being seen, shared, and celebrated across borders.
If you’ve ever believed in the quiet power of words to bring people together—this book is for you. And to every poet who joined us: thank you for trusting your voice, and for letting us hear it.
-Authored by Sristy @cactibloom