Internationally acclaimed poet, playwright, short story writer and performer John Agard will judge the 2026 Guernsey International Poetry Competition, which launches today.
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.
As part of the Guernsey Literary Festival, which runs from 24 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.
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 John in the judging process will be Filter judge Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan has published two acclaimed collections of poetry, My Family and Other Superheroes and Gen (both with Seren), and has received the Costa Poetry Award as well as twice winning the Wales Book of the Year People’s Choice Award.
Commenting on the launch, 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. Having him involved not only raises the profile of the competition internationally, but also brings something very special to our festival here in Guernsey.
“We had an impressive 2,350 entries last year from 55 countries including Belarus, Italy, Indonesia and Zimbabwe, so as well as celebrating the incredible local talent here on the island, we are looking forward to seeing just how far the competition’s reach continues to extend.”
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.”
Pictured: John Agard by Sara Roque Peres
