Poetry in the Harbour: A Curated Community Reading!

Poetry in the Harbour

Poets of Nanaimo (and surrounding communities): you are invited to submit a poem to be included in a reading on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in Piper's Lagoon Lobby (inside the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Nanaimo, BC) at 7PM. 

Neil Surkan, Poet Laureate of Nanaimo, will curate and host the event. 

Deadline for submissions: 11:59pm Pacific Time, December 22, 2025

Theme:

*HOPE*

Through January’s dim, cold days, what fills you with wonder, amazes you into action, or pangs brightly inside you? 

How are you harbouring sweetness in light of encroaching bitterness? 

For what or whom are you grateful? When do you feel most alive? Where does joy begin? 

Guidelines:

Open to ages 18 and above.

Submit one poem. One page maximum. Word or PDF format. 

If your poem is selected, that’s the only poem we ask that you read at the event.

Please also submit a short third-person biography (maximum 50 words).

How to Submit:

To submit your poem and biography please email both (as a PDF or Word document) directly to: cultureandevents@nanaimo.ca ATTN: Poetry in the Harbour Community Reading

Deadline: 11:59pm Pacific Time, December 22, 2025

Contact Us

Culture & Events
250-755-4483
cultureandevents@nanaimo.ca
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Last updated: December 16, 2025

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