A “symphony of fresh voices, ideas and forms” have been nominated for a set of poetry awards celebrating an “astonishing breadth of styles and themes”. Responses to wars in Ukraine and Gaza, toxic landlords, the opioid epidemic, the miners’ strike and the Met Gala are among the 20 poems shortlisted for the 2024 Forward Prizes For Poetry. The awards have been running in the UK and Ireland since 1992, and see £10,000 awarded to the winner of the Forward Prize For Best Collection.
Eve Esfandiari-Denney is among the nominees for Best Single Poem Performed (Forward Prize For Poetry/PA) Over the last three decades the prizes have celebrated some of the most recognised names in poetry including Simon Armitage, Ted Hughes and Carol Ann Duffy. This year’s judging panel is chaired by poet, actor and radio DJ Craig Charles, who said of the nominees: “I’m really thrilled to be in a position to champion all the incredible poets shortlisted. “Poetry has long been an important part of my life, and my love for it has been a driver for championing poetry on my BBC6 show.
“My favourite part of this process was getting to spend intensive time with these fresh voices and my fellow judges, all professional poets. “I especially love getting to showcase the vibrant spoken word scene I love so much.” The Red Dwarf star was joined by poets Alycia Pirmohamed, Vanessa Kisuule, Daniel Sluman and Jane Clarke on the judging panel, and they praised the nominees for “responding to.
