On the occasion of the "Printemps des Poètes" and the celebration of La Francophonie Month, join us for our very first Poetry Open Mic in the heart of Glasgow’s West End. All participants will be accompanied by our special guest Ehab Abdin, internationally performing singer and oud player, who is travelling especially for the occasion. This evening is for poets and poetry lovers alike: whether you step up to the mic or simply sit back and listen, come let yourself be carried by the words and by an exceptional musical dialogue.

What to Expect : 

This event is open to everyone, seasoned performers and first-time readers alike. Step up to the mic in French, English, or any language of your choice, with live music weaving through the evening.

Read your own poems, share a favourite text, or simply come to listen and soak it in. It’s a warm, informal night — no pressure, no perfection — just voices, words, and music in conversation.

Special Guests:

Ehab Abdin

Ehab Abdin is an internationally performing singer and oud player, based in Saudi Arabia. Shaped by early mentorship in Damascus, his music is deeply rooted in the ancient Near and Middle Eastern musical traditions. He joins the evening on the oud — an antique, beautiful and fretless instrument — moving from romantic melodies to quieter nostalgia, letting ancient modes breathe between the lines of spoken word. Live improvisation will be woven through the poems, guided by the poets’ voices and the mood of the room, a moment suspended in time, not to be missed!

Héloïse Thual

Héloïse Thual is a French poet and playwright who has been based in Glasgow for several years. Her relationship to writing retains something childlike, drawing inspiration from the suburban landscape where she grew up — a borderland space conducive to blending genres. She relies on the structure of the nursery rhymes that lulled her in childhood to give a framework to her texts. Within them, she conjures unexpected images akin to magical realism, often with a darker undercurrent beneath the surface. For her, writing is a “mischievousness never fully mastered, a prodigious mischievousness.” Her texts reflect this desire for play and serve as an invitation to a more secret exchange.

Aurélie Noel 
With 25 years of experience as a French literature and language teacher, Aurelie specializes in poetry. She taught literature for six years at the University of Glasgow and French language for two years at the University of Stirling after completing her PhD in the United States. She also writes beautiful poems. 

How to Sign Up as a performer : 

Pre-book your slot via the Google Form.

A sign-up sheet will also be available on the day.

Please sign up for one time slot only if booking in advance

Wednesday, 18th March
6pm-8pm
Alliance Française Glasgow
 Entry is free but a donation is welcome.

Drinks and snacks will be provided by the Alliance Française Glasgow.

As spaces are limited, please let us know if you are no longer able to attend at : biblio@afglasgow.org.uk