The 16th edition of the Bucharest International Poetry Festival (BIPF), which brings together poets and artists from around the world for a wide programme dedicated to poetry, intercultural dialogue and the power of the written word, will take place in the capital from 14 to 20 September, the organisers said in a statement on Monday.

This year's theme, 'Slow Gun Poetry', is inspired by poet Cezar Ivanescu's reflection on the force of a single mark on a sheet of paper - the idea that a single word can spark ideas, shape consciousness and even ignite revolutions.

'Poetry is not an escape from reality, but one of the strongest ways of understanding it. At a time when words are increasingly used to divide, radicalise and build walls between people, the Bucharest International Poetry Festival takes up the mission of returning the word to its natural space: dialogue, freedom, empathy and encounter. 'Slow Gun Poetry' speaks precisely about this discreet, profound force of poetry. A poem does not produce the noise of a weapon, but it can change a conscience, open a question, alter the way we look at the world and at one another,' the organisers said.

The festival will feature more than 50 events, including public readings, debates, conferences, exhibitions, concerts, performances, recitals and commemorative events.

Guests will come from Armenia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, China, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, Peru, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia and Turkey, alongside numerous Romanian poets and artists.

The festival opens officially on 14 September at 18:00, in the Auditorium of the 'Carol I' Central University Library, with representatives of partner cultural and diplomatic institutions, ambassadors and cultural institute delegates.

The opening evening will continue with a concert by the ARCO chamber ensemble, public readings by Romanian and international poets, and a performance-reading by Slovenian poet Ales Šteger, accompanied on accordion by Tori Jure.

A major component of this edition is dedicated to the memory and recovery of major Romanian poets, with events honouring Cezar Ivanescu, Emil Botta, Constanta Buzea, Angela Marinescu, Marin Sorescu and Magda Isanos, organised in partnership with the National Theatre Bucharest.

The festival also marks 130 years since the birth of Tristan Tzara, founder of Dadaism, through a workshop for children and adults combining poetry, visual art and calligrams.

The full programme, by date and venue, will be available on the official platform fipb.ro starting 1 September. Public access to all events is free, subject to available seating.

The event is organised by the Bucharest City Hall through the National Museum of Romanian Literature. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Petronius Craiu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)