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2024 AVBOB Poetry Competition opens    
Tue, 18 July 2023



The national AVBOB Poetry competition is ready for you to submit your winning poem. The 2024 AVBOB Poetry Competition opens for entries in all 11 official languages on 1 August 2023. How many words can you make out of poetry? 
 
South Africans from all walks of life are invited to express their finest words of love and hope, courage and consolation. Poetry is as relevant today, as it has always been through the ages and has the power to inspire change and hope.
 
The best entries in each language category will be published in the AVBOB Poetry Library, earning the writer a R300 publication fee. First-place winners in each language category will take home a grand prize to the value of R12 500. This includes R10 000 in cash, a R2 500 book voucher, and the glittering AVBOB Poetry trophy.
 
AVBOB CEO, Carl Van der Riet notes, “The goal of the AVBOB Poetry Competition is to provide a unifying platform where South Africans from all walks of life can share their thoughts and emotions through words. When we experience extreme joy or sorrow, it is often to poetry that we turn to for relief, companionship and consolation. It is at such times that we are most likely to find the best words for our own deepest emotions.”
 
Poets may submit up to 10 poems via the online dashboard. The top three poems in each language category will feature in the annual print anthology. All shortlisted poems will be translated into English in the spirit of promoting understanding and appreciation among South Africans.”
 
The AVBOB Poetry social media platforms offer tips on how to get started as well as pointers from the judges. A range of free resources are also available on the AVBOB Poetry website to support and encourage aspirant poets. This includes expert advice, articles featuring successful poets, and editorial guidelines. The AVBOB Poetry series of free online workshops, hosted both before and during the submission period, has continued with great success this year. Through these workshops, participants are exposed to the insights and ideas of experienced poets and publishers. Workshop details will be shared via AVBOB Poetry’s social media channels
 
To participate in the 2024 AVBOB Poetry Competition, register on www.avbobpoetry.co.za. Enter up to 10 poems in your mother tongue between 1 August and 30 November 2023. Your submission might just be one of winning poems!
 



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