HISTORY FESTIVAL POETRY TAKEOVER CHALLENGE OPEN FOR ENTRIES

SOUTH AUSTRALIA‘S YOUNG POETS TAKE OVER
 – History Festival Poetry Takeover Challenge open for entries

Throughout May 2020, the History Trust of South Australia is inviting budding poets in years 4 to 11 to participate in the History Trust’s first ever online poetry challenge.

Asking young South Australian poets to answer questions such as:
What does local history mean to you?
Why are objects important and why should we care?
Why would a museum have that particular object on display?
What’s the story?

Originally part of South Australia’s History Festival 2020, which was this year postponed, the Poetry Takeover Challenge aims to engage young people with history and museum collections in a new and creative way – even if they can’t visit in person.

Poetry Takeover Challenge participants will create a poem taking inspiration from the collections of the History Trust and other museums and galleries across South Australia.

South Australia’s History Festival Manager Karen Blackwood said the theme of the Poetry Takeover Challenge is change which is now more relevant than ever.

“In times of change and uncertainty, poetry offers a unique outlet to express complex emotions, to connect, to sooth the soul or simply have fun playing with words.”

“The Poetry Takeover challenge provides a platform for young people to take some of the fascinating items held in the collections of South Australia’s cultural institutions and to interpret them through fresh eyes. We’re excited to see how our state’s young poets respond to the challenge,” Karen continued.

The History Trust will publish Poetry Takeover Challenge poems in an online gallery and share across the History Trust’s social media. Every young poet who submits an original poem will be in the running to win one of six $50 Dymocks vouchers, chosen by a panel of peers. Community Choice prizes will also be decided online by popular vote. Entries close on Sunday 31 May at 5pm.

The Poetry Takeover Challenge was originally planned as part of the South Australia’s History Festival education program. The History Festival, which usually takes place from 1-31 May each year, is one of the state’s largest community festivals. The 2020 festival program included almost 700 events, presented by over 400 organising groups.

Entry is FREE, to access forms, resources, links to online collections and further details https://poetrytakeover.com.au/

History Festival Poetry Takeover Challenge
When: 1 – 31 May, 2020
For: SA students in years 4 – 11.
Where: https://poetrytakeover.com.au/
#HFPoetryTakeover
@HIstoryFestival

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