Canterbury Poet Takes Second Place at European Slam Poetry Championships

A resident of Kent has secured the second position in the European Championships of Slam Poetry, which took place in Slovakia. Sven Stears, a spoken word poet from Canterbury, represented England in the event, performing alongside participants from 32 other nations. The ten leading finalists have earned a spot in the World Championships, scheduled for Mexico next year. Mr Stears remarked that it was “an honour to be recognised.” The term “slam poetry” originated in the 1980s in Chicago, where jazz clubs began hosting spoken word contests. Mr Stears adopted this art form over a decade ago, exploring themes such as addiction and mental health. He stated that confessional writing had served as a crucial “lifeline” when navigating complex emotions. “I often find in the darkest bits, I find bits of hope that I missed.” One of the poems he presented at the European Championships was titled “Little Green Box.” He elaborated, “On the outside, it’s a poem about a defibrillator on the side of a funeral home I used to walk past,” adding, “It’s actually about me deciding that, despite all the hardships and grief, that I wanted to carry on living.” He mentioned that witnessing people connect with the personal narratives he shares makes “all the work worthwhile.” His second performed poem addressed his experiences as “a recovering alcoholic.” He commented, “It’s about how being sober has improved my life immeasurably.” Mr Stears also delivers presentations in schools, universities, and youth groups, focusing on alcoholism and recovery. “Poetry is an opportunity for us to relate to each other,” he affirmed. “We become so embroiled in our own lives that it can be hard to take stock of where you are and where you’ve come from.” He is scheduled to perform at the World Championships in Mexico in 2025. For updates, follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not accountable for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.