The Poetic Phonotheque is a registered cultural nonprofit, serving as a living archive. We are dedicated to preserving and sharing contemporary poetry through voice, film, and print. With over 700 recordings in multiple languages from more than 40 countries, the Poetic Phonotheque offers a vibrant platform for interacting with poetic expressions across borders, languages and media.
Through multimedia festivals and other public events, workshops, publications, and an ever-growing archive, the Phonotheque fosters cross-cultural dialogue and the representation of diverse voices. This is a living, accessible space where poetry meets community—locally and globally.
experience the archive:
Find the Phonotheque in your city
In Canada
Our home in Canada is Calgary, where the Poetic Phonotheque is registered as a cultural non-profit organization, and managed by our poet ambassador Patrick Horner
In Denmark
Our base of operations is Copenhagen, where you can find Red Door (Magazine & Gallery), be part of our bi-monthly open mic events POETRY TAKEOVER, festivals, and more!
In Sweden
In Tranås, you find a wonderful cultural hub for performing arts in both an international and local level. Kultivera are our partners, and also the directors of Tranås at the Fringe festival.
In the UK
In Wales, you’ll meet our partners write4word. An artist led community organisation that works within the language arts.
In Norway
Find our FONOTEK recorder ready to capture your voice and poetry at our favorite hiding place in Oslo, CAPPELENS FORSLAG, a bookshop, hub for art, culture, madmen, hermits, heretics, dreamers and sceptics.
In the US
Our representatives in the US are Ars Poetica, who work directly with poets to create immersive experiences that inspire and awaken the senses.
embody the archive
Voices from the world. Poetry for all.
Add your voice to the collection:
Share your poetry with the world—record your poem and become part of our living archive. Whether whispered, sang, or shouted, your voice matters. Add it to the Poetic Phonotheque today by clicking on the phone widget at the bottom right of this page, or by clicking on the button right below this text. If you have a more intricate production you can also send it to our email as an mp3: contact@poeticphonotheque.com
Add your poetry film to the archive:
Submit your multimedia poem to one of our festivals so it can be screened live, digitally, and become part of the permanent nomadic collection.
We host the NATURE & CULTURE International Poetry Festival in the Autumn in Copenhagen, and have a nomadic micro poetry festival, WORLDTHREADING in the Spring.
Become a Poet Ambassador:
Bring the Poetic Phonotheque to your city! As a Poet Ambassador, you’ll represent us internationally, host events, lead workshops, and connect local voices to a global stage. Let’s build a worldwide community—one poet at a time.
You’ll take a FONOTEK phone for recording the voices of your local community, and have access to the full archive so you can update these files, organize listening parties, screenings, and more!
give your support
Become a patron of the Phonotheque:
As a patron, your support directly fuels our mission: expanding the archive, supporting artists, offering workshops, and ensuring free access to poetry worldwide.
Ways to support:
- Make a one-time or monthly donation – Every gift sustains our archive and programming.
- Sponsor a poet – Help fund recordings, translations, and honoraria.
- Name a literary award or fund a publication – Leave a legacy that uplifts new voices.
- Receive a dedication in our anthology series – As a token of our thanks.
All contributions are tax-deductible under our 501(c)(3) status.
Your support doesn’t just fund poetry—it keeps it alive, evolving, and accessible.
meet our poet ambassadors
Elizabeth Torres
Colombian-American poet, multimedia artist, translator and cultural organizer. Elizabeth is the Editor in Chief of Red Door Magazine, the founder and director of the Poetic Phonotheque, and frequent collaborator in other international projects.
As a poet, Elizabeth is the author of over 20 books published in English, Spanish, Swedish, Danish and German. Her book Loteria: Nocturnal Sweepstakes was the recipient of the Ambroggio Prize by the Academy of American Poets in 2022.
Elizabeth Torres
Colombia / US / Denmark
Patrick Horner
Patrick Horner (he/him), a Canadian poet and engineer, resides in Denmark where he works advancing water treatment technologies. His poetry and fiction have been published in journals and magazines internationally. He is a cultural organizer with Red Door and a co-director of the Copenhagen Poetry Film Festival Nature and Culture. His debut poetic novel, Refugia, was published by the University of Calgary Press in 2022.
Patrick Horner
Canada / Denmark
Daniel Malpikka
Daniel Malpikka has emerged as a transatlantic author in the literature and multimedia domains while exploring the intersections of language, graphic design, and digital expression. As a multimedia artist and curator, Malpica has been involved in developing cutting-edge transdisciplinary literary productions across Europe, the Nordics, and Mexico.
Daniel is the creative soul behind our new logo and identity.
Daniel Malpikka
Mexico / FInland
meet FONOTEK:
Our rotary phones travel with us to record your voices off-line, so they too can be part of the archive, wherever you are… Ask for FONOTEK in your next poetry event!
meet our poet ambassadors
Colm O Ciarnain
Colm O Ciarnain is an Irish/Swedish poet, publisher, producer, and translator based in Tranås, Sweden. He runs Kultivera Produktion and Chap Förlag, co-founded two poetry festivals, and leads Tranås at the Fringe and Kultivera’s international residency.
His work has been published in English, Swedish, Spanish, and Hindi.
Colm O Ciarnain
Sweden / Ireland
Lisa Ann Markuson
Lisa Ann “LAMARKS” Markuson is the founder of Ars Poetica and our first US Poet Ambassador. She has a degree in International Studies from the University of San Francisco and graduate studies in International Communications at American University, and ample experience producing, performing and curating through her inclusive and sustainable poetic agency, Ars Poetica.us which celebrates the multitalented nature of her artists.
LA MARKS
United States
Dominic Williams
Dominic Williams lectures in the Faculty of Humanities and Performing Arts at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He is also is a poet, a performer and creative writing mentor.
As one of the founders of Write4Word, Dominic is the first Poet Ambassador representing our Poetic Phonotheque in the UK.
Dominic Williams
Wales
FAQs
What is the Poetic Phonotheque?
The Poetic Phonotheque is a registered nonprofit archive dedicated to preserving and sharing contemporary poetry through voice, film, and print. It serves as a global platform for poets, artists, and communities to connect through poetic expression.
Who is behind the Poetic Phonotheque?
The phonotheque was founded and is directed by award-winning Colombian-American poet Elizabeth Torres (Madam Neverstop).
The archive is run by an international team of Poet Ambassadors: artists, curators, and cultural organizers. It operates independently as a NYC registered nonprofit organization and collaborates with institutions around the world.
What kind of events does the Poetic Phonotheque organize?
We host poetry readings, film screenings, workshops, and festivals—both virtually and in-person—often in collaboration with cultural partners across continents.
Can I bring the Phonotheque to my city or community?
Yes! Through our Poet Ambassador program, you can host local events and help grow the archive in your region. It’s a beautiful way to connect local voices with a global audience. Write to contact@poetryphonotheque.com to learn more.
Can I explore the archive online?
Absolutely. The entire collection of over 700 audio and video files is available online, and we are currently working on getting it organized by language, theme, and region. You can listen, learn, and discover voices from around the world.
How do I donate to this 501(c)(3) and where does my money go?
You can donate securely via our website. Your contribution supports the growth of our archive, public programming, translation efforts, and stipends for poets—especially those from underrepresented communities. Donations are tax-deductible in the U.S.
DONATE
Do you work with schools or institutions?
We do. We offer educational partnerships, workshops, and curated listening sessions tailored for classrooms, libraries, and community organizations. Please write to contact@poeticphonotheque.com and we’ll customize an event based on your needs.
What languages are accepted in the archive?
All languages are welcome. We believe in the power of linguistic diversity and often include translations when possible to ensure accessibility
Consultation
Book a Poetic Consultation:
More than a performance, this is an intimate ritual of listening and reflection. You speak—freely, privately—and are met with presence, not answers.
From your words, a one-of-a-kind poem is composed on a typewriter, just for you, by the founder of the Poetic Phonotheque …and soon, you’ll get to book other poets, in various languages, too!