Guernsey’s international poetry competition launches with John Agard as judge
- Entries for the 2026 Guernsey International Poetry Competition are open.
- Poet John Agard will judge the competition and host the winners' presentation on 1 May 2026.
- The competition invites poets globally, with winning works displayed in public locations across Guernsey.
- There are three classes in the competition: Open, Channel Islands, and Young Poet, with cash prizes awarded in each.
- A total of 2,350 entries were received in the previous year from 55 countries.
The 2026 Guernsey International Poetry Competition, also known as Poems on the Move, has opened for entries.
This annual competition forms a key part of the Guernsey Literary Festival and aims to attract poets from both the Channel Islands and around the globe.
Renowned poet John Agard will judge the competition and lead the winners' presentation on 1 May 2026, coinciding with the festival, which runs from 24 April to 3 May.
Agard, celebrated for his engaging and witty writing style, has made significant contributions to contemporary poetry and literature. His accolades include the BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award and the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry.
Supporting Agard in this role is Jonathan Edwards, a distinguished poet and previous winner of the Costa Poetry Award.
Claire Allen, Director of the Guernsey Literary Festival, said: “We are honoured to have John Agard as our judge this year. He is one of the most inspiring and distinctive voices in contemporary poetry, and his work has influenced generations of readers and writers.”
Last year, the competition received 2,350 entries from diverse countries including Belarus, Italy, Indonesia, and Zimbabwe, showcasing the reach of the event and encouraging local talent alongside international submissions.
Agard's involvement is seen as a boost to the competition's international reputation. Allen continued to highlight the goal of expanding its impact, emphasising that they are looking forward to seeing how far the competition's reach continues to extend.
The Guernsey International Poetry Competition is supported by Guernsey Arts, which has partnered with the festival for several years.
Russ Fossey, Head of Arts Development at Guernsey Arts, said: “The Poetry Competition has become a real highlight of Guernsey’s cultural calendar, attracting outstanding writers from around the world while also shining a spotlight on the wealth of home-grown talent here on the island.”
Winners of the competition will see their poems displayed in prominent locations around Guernsey, including at the Airport, Harbour, and on public transport buses, an initiative designed to promote the relevance of the arts in everyday life.
The competition is divided into three classes: Open, which carries a first prize of £1,000; Channel Islands, offering a £250 prize; and Young Poet, also with a £250 prize. Cash awards will also be distributed for second and third places in each category.
The Young Poet class is particularly aimed at secondary school students across the Channel Islands, giving youth an opportunity to showcase their creativity alongside established poets. The Guernsey Literary Festival plans to distribute information directly to local teachers to encourage participation from students.
Entries for all classes must be submitted by 15 January, and poems should not exceed 14 lines. For further details regarding categories, terms and conditions, and entry submissions, participants can visit www.poemsonthemove.com.
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