The annual competition, which is part of the Guernsey Literary Festival, invites writers from across the Channel Islands – and the world – to enter their poetry.  Winning poems will be displayed in key locations across Guernsey, including the Airport and Harbour, as well as on the island’s buses.

Known for his playful, witty style and charismatic performances, John Agard has published numerous poetry collections and performed at festivals around the world. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, received the 2021 BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award, and been awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry. His work is a staple on the National Curriculum for GCSE English. John will appear at the festival courtesy of Renaissance One

Supporting him will be filter judge Jonathan Edwards, award-winning poet and author of My Family and Other Superheroes and Gen.

The competition is divided into three classes: Open (which carries a first prize of £1000), Channel Islands (£250) and Young Poet (£250). There will also be cash prizes for second and third in each class.

Winning and selected poems will be displayed in public spaces across Guernsey – including the airport, harbour and the island’s buses – thanks to the support of Guernsey Arts, Guernsey Ports and Stagecoach Guernsey.

The Guernsey International Poetry Competition is supported by longstanding Guernsey Literary Festival partner Guernsey Arts.

Head of Arts Development at Guernsey Arts, Russ Fossey, 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.

The visibility of the winning poems in public spaces across Guernsey is a powerful way of raising awareness and showing the value and relevance of the arts in everyday life. We are delighted to be supporting the competition for another year.

During the Festival which runs from 23 April to 3 May, Judge John Agard will host a winners’ presentation and reading on Friday 1 May, and will also perform his own work on Saturday 2 May.

Entries for the competition must be no longer than 14 lines and must be submitted by 15 January 2026.

For full details on the competition, including categories, Ts and Cs, and how to enter visit: www.poemsonthemove.com