The British Council Poetry Competition in Germany, in collaboration with Haus für Poesie, recently concluded its fifth year, celebrating the impact of spoken word poetry. The competition invited students from grades 6-12 to engage with the theme of ‘Otherness’ through poems inspired by The Game by acclaimed spoken word poet Kevin Mclean.
Kevin Mclean, Creative Director of I Am Loud Productions and host of Scotland’s Loud Poets, served as the guest judge for the competition. He emphasised the impact of spoken word poetry: ‘Spoken word poetry connects deeply with audiences, sharing stories that might otherwise remain unheard,’ Mclean shared.
Students across Germany crafted poems in English or German for the poetry competition, reflecting on Mclean’s work and the theme of ‘Otherness’. ‘The theme offers a powerful lens for students to explore their own perspectives,’ Mclean noted. ‘It’s been inspiring to see how they have engaged with these ideas.’
The winners, who presented their poems at the 2024 Poesiefestival in Berlin, also had the opportunity to meet Mclean and participate in a workshop with him. The competition underscored poetry’s role in bridging cultural and linguistic gaps. ‘Poetry unites people and sparks important conversations.’ Mclean explained. ‘This competition has been a fantastic platform for young voices to shine.’