We are pleased to announce that Mei Szetu is our awesome, guest performer for SA Heat 1 of the 2026 Australian Poetry Slam on Saturday 25th July at the State Library of South Australia.
Mei Szetu is a queer, neurodivergent, Malaysian Chinese Australian poet born, raised and practising on Kaurna Country. They began performing spoken word poetry at open mics in 2022, and have since become a frequent feature performer, appearing on many a line up. They also organise Rewind Poetry. In 2024, they came first place in the South Australian leg of the Australian Poetry Slam, going on to represent South Australia in the 2024 National Australian Poetry Slam.
For Mei, poetry is many things: a place of sanctuary, a conduit for connection, a weapon in the fight against complacency and oppression, and a way to temper their tendency towards word vomit. Through dry wit and (occasionally absurd) layering prose Mei’s poetry explores their relationship with identity, colonialism, class, mental health and the many fallibilities of the human condition.
Click here for Australian Poetry Slam SA Heat 1 details.
To read the full rules for the 2026 slam, visit: https://spokenwordsa.com.au/poetry-slams/
Book your tickets for Heat 1 – $15 for competitors or audience:
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