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The
Kilkenny International Swift Society invites submissions
of a satirical poem in the spirit and style of Swift
and on a topic of social/political interest. The competition
is both a celebration of Swift as one of Ireland’s
greatest satirists, and an invitation to contemporary
writers to ‘translate’ his manner into a
modern setting.
In
keeping with Swiftian tradition, the poem should be
substantial in length, and written throughout in rhyming
couplets: examples of Swift’s poetical practice
in this form, which entrants may wish to consult,
are his famous satires, “A Panegyric on the Reverend
Dean Swift”, “A Panegyric on the Dean”,
“Verses on the Death of Dr Swift”, and “A
Character, Panegyric, and Description of the Legion
Club”.
The
poem must be written in English, but its subject may
refer to any country or culture or period. The judges
of the competition are looking for a poem that displays
a winning combination of technical skill and poetic
humour – a combination that distinguishes most
of Swift’s ironic and satirical verse. They are
also interested to see how an eighteenth-century form
might be adapted to new times and circumstances.
Entrants
should submit only one poem, two copies of which should
be included.
Prize:
Eur 1,000
Closing
date: 24th July 2004. Winners will be announced
in mid-August.
Entry
Fee: A single entry fee of USD 6.00, Eur 5.00
, £3.60 Stg or AUD 12.00 should accompany each
submission.
Judge:
Professor Joseph McMinn, University of Ulster
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