AUGUSTA — The University of Maine at Augusta will welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and Indigenous language advocate Natalie Diaz as the keynote speaker at the 2025 Plunkett Poetry Festival, taking place Saturday, April 26, on the UMA Augusta campus. Diaz, a member of the Gila River Indian Community and an internationally acclaimed writer, will headline this year’s festival, which celebrates poetry, storytelling and cultural identity. Her keynote address, offered both in-person and via live Zoom broadcast, is expected to draw attendees from across Maine’s literary, academic and Indigenous communities. The festival is free and open to the public.
Festival highlights;
- Poetry workshops: Engage in interactive sessions led by distinguished poets, including Natalie Diaz, Jeri Theriault and Mikhu Paul. These workshops offer participants a unique opportunity to refine their craft and connect with fellow poetry enthusiasts. Registration is required, as each session is limited to 15 participants.
- Student poetry contest: This contest provides a platform for emerging poets to showcase their talents and gain recognition within the literary community. Submissions have been gathered from Maine high school students and University of Maine System undergraduates. Listen to the contest winners’ poems read by the poets.
- Panel discussions and open mic sessions: Attendees can look forward to thought-provoking discussions featuring poets Dawn Potter and Betsy Sholl, as well as an open mic session that celebrates both emerging and established voices in poetry.
We invite the community to join us in this celebration of poetic expression and community engagement. The Plunkett Poetry Festival is free and open to all. Refreshments will be served. Visit uma.edu/plunkett for detailed information on the festival schedule, to register for workshops, read presenter biographies, find the Zoom link and more.
All festival activities will be at UMA Augusta, in Jewett Hall at 46 University Drive.
Established in 2002, the Plunkett Poetry Festival honors the legacy of Terry Plunkett, a revered English professor at UMA for nearly three decades. Known for his dedication to mentoring students and his contributions as co-editor of “Kennebec: A Portfolio of Maine Writing,” Plunkett played a pivotal role in nurturing Maine’s literary community. The festival continues this tradition by fostering a space where poets and enthusiasts can come together to celebrate the power of words.
The University of Maine at Augusta transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the state and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement and professional and liberal arts programs. Learn more at uma.edu.
