Gilgamesh: A New Verse Translation with Simon Armitage

Presented by: International Poetry Forum
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM (Doors at 7:00 PM)
Location: Heinz Memorial Chapel, South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (University of Pittsburgh campus)
Admission: Free (tickets required)
Refund Policy: Refunds available up to 7 days before event

About the Event:

The International Poetry Forum welcomes UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to Pittsburgh for a reading and commentary on his forthcoming verse translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh. This free event takes place in the historic Heinz Memorial Chapel.

Books will be available for sale and signing through City of Asylum Bookstore.

Co‑sponsored by the Departments of English, Classics, and Religious Studies at the University of Pittsburgh’s Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.

About the Poet:

Simon Armitage is one of England’s best‑loved authors and the current UK Poet Laureate. He is an award‑winning poet, author, songwriter, playwright, and translator.

His numerous poetry collections include New Cemetery, The Unaccompanied, and The Shout. He has published new verse translations of The Odyssey, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and The Death of King Arthur. His nonfiction book Walking Home: A Poet’s Journey documents his 265‑mile walking tour across England.

Armitage has received the Gregory Award, a Forward Prize, and a major Lannan Award. He was twice shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award. He served as Professor of Poetry at Oxford University (2015‑2019) and is currently Professor of Poetry at the University of Sheffield.

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