Imagine a news reporter pointing to a map of the world. You give an audible sigh and think to yourself "what's happened now?" However, instead of bad news and speaking of violence and tragedy around the world, the reporter speaks of cities and communities holding a global Poetry Marathon. Dozens, or hundreds of people gathering to read and listen to poetry together. They're in parks, on street corners, inside churches and community centers. 

That's the idea initiated by the Global View Foundation of Ecuador. After the isolation and restrictions of the COVID Pandemic it was important to reclaim public spaces that had been off limits. Instead of a geography of fear - which had become the norm - they wanted to create a geography of tenderness. In 2022, people across Ecuador gathered for the first time to share poetry. Young, old, poor and wealthy listening to one another read, "to build societies of social justice." This national poetry marathon has continued since 2022, and in October 2026 it is going global! In coordination with our peacemaking friends from Ecuador, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Arizona, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile, Seattle First Baptist invites YOU to participate in a global marathon of poetry for peace! 

Saturday, October 24, 2026

10am-4pm

Seattle First Baptist Church in the Fellowship Hall

1111 Harvard Ave, Seattle 98122

Is this for all ages?  

Yes! We will have specific time slots where there will be child-friendly poetry.  

I don't want to read publicly but I'd like to come and listen: can I?  

YES, please do! We need an audience! 

Will there be food? 

We can’t have a gathering without food! Snacks, drinks and a pizza lunch will be provided. You are also welcome to bring your own food and nonalcoholic beverages. 

We hope you will join us and our friends around the globe for the Seattle branch of the Poetry Marathon for Peace, either sponsoring a time slot with an organization or attending as an audience member. We hope that you will participate in creating space for beauty, connection and peace with us.