Coventry City Council and Coventry Libraries are excited to announce two new Poet Laureates for 2025-2027 on National Poetry Day Thursday 2 October 2025
The Adult Poet Laureate has been named as Andrea Mbarushimana and the Young Poet Laureate is Diamond Kayode-Osunlana.
Coventry Libraries will be presenting a launch event in October 2025 to celebrate their successful laureates and thank all those who took part.
The Coventry Poet Laureate and Coventry Young Poet Laureate are honorary positions which involve writing poems to commemorate significant moments, giving performances of their work and encouraging an interest in poetry across the city.
Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Coventry City Council, said: “Congratulations to both Andrea and Diamond on their amazing achievements in becoming the new Poet Laureates. I am really looking forward to seeing more of their fantastic work and the rich culture they will bring to the city.
“Coventry began creating the Poet Laureate roles in 2021, with Emilie Lauren Jones and Hawwa Hussain as Coventry’s first ever Poet Laureates. They helped celebrate our year as UK City of Culture, promote Coventry nationally and internationally.
“More recently, John Bernard and Aamani Kanda have been outstanding in their roles between2023 – 2025. I know both Andrea and Diamond will build on that legacy of Coventry poetic talent.”
Alongside staff at Coventry Libraries, Jonanthan Davidson from Writing West Midlands and Jane Commane from Nine Arches Press, have both supported in choosing the new laureates.
As part of National Poetry Day on Monday 13 October, between 1pm – 3pm, Foleshill Library will be providing a fantastic opportunity for poetry lovers to come together to celebrate and share poetry in a relaxed environment.