Celebrating World Poetry Day at GISSV

Last Friday, on March 2, our Mountain View campus came alive with the power of words as we celebrated World Poetry Day. A big thank you to our English and German Departments for making this event so special.

Poetry Walk – Inspired by Leiden’s renowned poetry walk, students from Elementary and Secondary School transformed the campus into an open-air poetry gallery, showcasing their creativity and love for language. Their works, displayed throughout the school, invited readers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of poetry in everyday spaces. Thank you to teachers Emily Jardine and Hannah Wexler for organizing this inspiring exhibit.

Poetry Slam – The day began with an incredible Poetry Slam, featuring the most talented wordsmiths from Grades 5–8. It was truly impressive to see how much talent, courage, and creativity our students brought to the stage, captivating the audience and creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

With the library beautifully transformed into a slam poetry stage, thanks to the efforts of teachers Sophia Angeles and Felicitas Weidlich, middle schoolers from both campuses took the spotlight. Class winners competed in thrilling final rounds, presenting poems that ranged from lighthearted and humorous to deeply personal and thought-provoking. The runners-up and third-place finishers formed an enthusiastic audience, and everyone had the opportunity to share their work—creating an inspiring celebration of self-expression.

World Poetry Day, established by UNESCO, recognizes poetry as a powerful bridge between cultures, fostering creativity and dialogue. Learn more here.

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