Historic Joint Winners of the Forward Prize for Poetry Announced

Celebrating Poetic Excellence: A New Milestone

In a remarkable first for the Forward Prize for Poetry, Vidyan Ravinthiran and Karen Solie have been honored as joint winners for the best collection in this year’s prestigious awards. This accolade, which stands as one of the UK’s most esteemed poetry recognitions, marks a significant moment in the prize’s history.

Winners and Their Works

Ravinthiran, a poet of Sri Lankan Tamil descent who was raised in Leeds and currently resides in the United States, received the award for his collection Avidyā. This work is characterized as emerging from “journeys of great personal significance” and reflects a migrant perspective that intertwines experiences from three distinct countries.

Meanwhile, Canadian poet Karen Solie was awarded for her collection Wellwater, described as a “self-interrogative conversation” addressing a culture in turmoil alongside an environment at the edge of crisis. Both poets received a monetary prize of £5,000 each for their outstanding contributions to contemporary poetry.

A Night of Recognition at the Southbank Centre

The announcement of the winners took place during a ceremony held at London’s Southbank Centre on Sunday evening. One of the judges, Lisa Kelly, remarked that the awardees “address the urgent challenges of our time”—including the climate crisis, war, and migration—“with personal insight and philosophical depth.”

Additional Honors in Poetry

The Forward Prizes also recognized other talented poets. Isabelle Baafi, a London-based writer of Jamaican and South African heritage, received the Jerwood Prize for best first collection for her debut work Chaotic Good. This collection has been acclaimed as “a feat of formal brilliance,” exploring themes of power and transformation as it narrates the escape from a toxic marriage.

Abeer Ameer, a Cardiff-based poet with Iraqi roots, was awarded the Forward Prize for best single poem in written form for At Least. This poignant poem, which addresses the devastating impact of airstrikes on residential buildings, has been recognized for its “devastating” reflection on loss and its critique of the “duplicity of language” often employed in media reports concerning the Gaza conflict.

Additionally, Griot Gabriel, a poet from Manchester, won the Forward Prize for best single poem in the performance category for Where I’m From. This piece serves as a “love letter to Manchester,” capturing the joys and sorrows of his communities in Longsight and Ardwick.

A Reflection on the Judges' Perspectives

The judging panel for this year included esteemed figures such as Sarah Hall, Lisa Kelly, Hannah Lavery, Sean O’Brien, and Rommi Smith, who collectively praised the ambition and creativity showcased in the shortlisted works. Lavery expressed that the joint winners of the best collection exemplify “how many ways poetry can speak to us right now,” highlighting Avidyā as “dazzling and searching” and Wellwater as “rooted and elemental.”

Sarah Hall, the chair of the judging panel, reflected on the experience of engaging with poetry from diverse backgrounds, stating, “It was buoying to read poetry from all corners of the globe and find within its diversity common ground—light, song, sincerity, humour, wisdom, and courage.” She emphasized that it is increasingly vital to foster cultural collaboration.

Significance of the Joint Award

Mónica Parle, co-executive director of the Forward Prizes, commented on the decision to award two poets for best collection, asserting that it underscores the strength of contemporary poetry. She remarked, “Our shortlisted poets tackled some of the biggest issues of our day—migration, language, empire, the environment, gender dynamics, and sexuality—and they perfectly capture lived experience in some unique and transformational way.” Parle further noted, “In the end, it can be impossible to find a single, definitive answer in our complex world.”

A Legacy of the Forward Prizes

Established in 1992, the Forward Prizes for Poetry have long celebrated the power and importance of poetry in contemporary culture. With this year's historic joint winners, the awards continue to highlight the diverse voices and pressing themes that resonate through the art of poetry.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Poetry

The recognition of Ravinthiran and Solie, along with the other awarded poets, showcases the vibrant and evolving landscape of poetry today. As these artists navigate complex societal issues through their works, they inspire readers to reflect and engage with the world around them, affirming the enduring significance of poetry in our lives.