Submissions Invited For Poet Laureate Of Jamaica Competition
By: , March 22, 2022
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, discusses a book of poetry with (from left) National Librarian, National Library of Jamaica (NLJ), Beverley Lashley; Chair of the Board of Management, NLJ, Joy Douglas; Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Emina Tudakovic; and Advisor, Communication and Information, UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean, Isabel Viera Bermudez. Occasion was the launch of the NLJ’s Poet Laureate of Jamaica Prizes for Poetry Competition at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Monday (March 21).
Photo: Adrian Walker
Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, addresses the launch of the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) Poet Laureate of Jamaica Prizes for Poetry Competition at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Monday (March 21).The Full Story
The National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) is inviting submissions from interested persons for the Poet Laureate of Jamaica Prizes for Poetry Competition.
The official launch was held on Monday (March 21) in a ceremony held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston, and online.
It is a commemorative activity for World Poetry Day 2022, observed annually on March 21.
State Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, commended the NLJ for its efforts to foster the creative talent of young Jamaicans through the poetry competition, which targets persons aged 17 to 25.
“Since 2017, the NLJ has facilitated this sub-initiative of the poet Laureate of Jamaica programme, and has been expanding its output ever since… . [Through this competition], young writers have quantifiably honed their craft,” he said.
“The Ministry will continue to support the NLJ opening pathways to ensure that this growth continues,” the State Minister pledged.
The competition is structured in four divisions – Poet Laureate of Jamaica Young Writers Prize for Poetry, the Edward Baugh Prize for Poetry; the Louise Bennett Coverley Prize for Poetry; and the Michael Cooke Prize for Poetry.
Deadline for entries is Tuesday, May 31, 2022, and submissions may be sent via email to submit@nlj.gov.jm. The winners will be announced in late October 2022 and the awards ceremony is scheduled for March 2023.
Winners will receive US$1,000, as well as have their work published.
The works of shortlisted candidates in the Young Writers’ Prize category will be reviewed by Poet Laureate of Jamaica, Olive Senior.
The competition is open to Jamaican nationals, and submissions must be the original work of the applicant.
Thematic focus should reflect aspects of the Jamaican or Caribbean natural environment.
For submission requirements, and other details, interested persons are invited to visit the NLJ website.