Jerwood Prize for Best Single Poem-Performed

The Forward Book of Poetry continues to shape the conversation around contemporary poetry and on 9 October Forward Arts Foundation launched The Forward Book of Poetry 2025 at the Southbank Centre. The book includes poems shortlisted in each of their four awarding categories; Best Collection, Best First Collection, Best Single Poem Written and Best Single Poem Performed, along with the work of 50 poets commended by this year’s judging panel.

 

Jerwood Foundation’s support has been recognised in the naming of one of the four categories; Jerwood Prize for Best Single Poem-Performed, a category that celebrates the vitality of the spoken word scene, showcases new talent and strives to bridge the divide between page and stage. Links to the five artists shortlisted in this category can be viewed by visiting Forward Arts Foundation.

 

The poet Leyla Josephine was announced as the winner of the Jerwood Prize for Best Single Poem-Performed, at the Forward Prizes for Poetry Award ceremony held in Durham on 10 October. Josephine describes her poem, Dear John Berger as being about ‘loneliness, heartbreak, the desire to be seen and looked at…feeling ashamed about wanting attention and asking for it.’

For a full list of the winners announced from all categories awarded at the Forward Prizes for Poetry Award Ceremony please visit, Forward Arts Foundation.

October 25, 2024