Author: Kim-Kristin Hain

On April 30th, 2026, the Student Living Room hosted its very first Poetry Slam - and what began as a small and slightly nervous gathering turned into a truly special and meaningful evening.

A total of 12 participants joined the event, including both familiar faces from the SLR community and new students connected through a shared interest in poetry and creative expression.

The idea for the Poetry Slam originally emerged through conversations with one of the regular visitors of the Student Living Room, who has been writing poetry for years and is currently hoping to publish a book of his Spanish poems. Together with host Jule, the idea slowly developed into an event centered around openness, creativity, and connection.

At the beginning of the evening, many participants were shy and unsure of what to expect. No one knew how much people would feel comfortable sharing. However, after the first few readings — and a short break outside on the sunny terrace — the atmosphere slowly changed. The ice was broken, conversations became deeper, and the room started to feel more and more like a genuine safe space.

In total, six participants shared their texts, many of them reciting more than once throughout the evening. Over time, the event became less of a traditional stage performance and more of a collective exchange of poetry, thoughts, and emotions.

Participants shared poems, diary entries, and personal reflections about love, grief, self-love, identity, and life experiences. Texts were presented in Hindi, Spanish, English, Turkish, Persian, and other languages, often accompanied by short English translations or introductions.

In between performances, participants gathered on the terrace with snacks, enjoyed the sunset and evening atmosphere, and talked about the power of poetry and creative expression.

By the end of the evening, there was one shared feeling in the room: this should definitely happen again! The event revealed how many creatively talented and artistically interested people are already part of the SLR community - and sparked ideas for future events, perhaps even including a writing session beforehand.

The Poetry Slam became more than just an event: it became a moment of connection, trust, and community through words.

Featured Image by Damian Scarlassa on Pexels.