The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Libraries Branch Directorate is taking an important step in order to bring new breaths to the world of literature and encourage the creativity of young people. As part of the 9th edition of the International Literature Festival, which is followed with great interest every year, a special literary competition is being organized for high school students. The Poetry, Story and Essay Competition, which will be held with the theme of “Journey”, will provide young talents with the opportunity to express themselves and showcase their talents, while the winners will be crowned with valuable awards.
The Literature Festival's Gate Opening to Young People
The International Literature Festival, which was initiated under the leadership of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Department of Culture and Social Affairs, is preparing to meet with literature lovers for the ninth time this year between September 19-21 with the theme of “Literature is a Journey.” The “Journey” themed competition, which was implemented as an important part of the festival, aims to increase children and young people’s interest in literature, develop their reading and writing skills, and open new horizons for them in the world of national and international publications. At the same time, it is aimed to create permanent literary works on behalf of the festival through this competition.
Special Awards for High School Students
All young people from high school preparatory class to 12th grade can participate in the competition to be held at the national level. The literary talents of the young people will be evaluated by valuable jury members in the competition to be held in three different categories: poetry, short story and essay. The first place winner in each category will be awarded 20 thousand TL, the second place winner 15 thousand TL and the third place winner 10 thousand TL. In addition, the three contestants who are deemed worthy of honorable mention in each category will be awarded 5 thousand TL in cash as well as a plaque and a rich book set. These awards clearly demonstrate the value and encouragement given to young people's literary works.
Application Process and Evaluation Schedule
There are important dates that young people who want to participate in this exciting competition themed “Journey” should pay attention to. The deadline and time for the competition has been determined as 31:23.59 on July 15. Young people who complete their works by this date and submit them through the relevant application channels will have the opportunity to showcase their talents. After the applications are completed, the distinguished jury members will come together on August 30 to begin the evaluation process. The eagerly awaited results of the competition will be shared with the public on August 19. Young people who are successful will receive their awards at a special ceremony to be held within the scope of the International Literature Festival to be held between September 21-XNUMX.
Selection Committee Consisting of Master Names of Literature
The fairness and quality of the competition is guaranteed by the selection committee consisting of experts and respected names in their fields. In the poetry category, the main jury members who will evaluate the works of the young people will be; Veysel Çolak, one of the important representatives of Turkish poetry, literary critic and writer Asuman Susam and young poet Duygu Kankaytsın. In the story category, one of the master writers of our literature, Mehmet Atilla, young and successful storyteller Gizem Pınar Karaboğa and writer Barış İnce, known for his critical perspective, will serve. In the essay category, Y. Bekir Yurdakul, literary critic Gülce Başer and poet and writer Tuğrul Keskin, who have made important contributions to our world of thought, will meticulously examine the essays of the young people. The reserve members of the selection committee were determined as Haydar Ergülen, one of the beloved names of Turkish poetry, experienced writer Erkut Tokman and critic Cenk Gündoğdu. In order for the evaluation process to proceed smoothly, Duygu Özsüphandağ Yayman and Mehmet Emin Karagöz will undertake the rapporteurship duty.
Detailed Information and Application Channels
Young people who want to get more detailed information about the Poetry, Story and Essay Competition with the theme of “Journey” and learn the application conditions can visit Izmir Metropolitan Municipality's official culture and arts platform.art website can be visited. In addition, for any questions and requests for information regarding the competition, you can directly contact the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Libraries Branch Directorate located at Atatürk Caddesi No: 454 Konak /Alsancak/. This competition is an opportunity not to be missed to strengthen the bond that young people have with literature, support their creativity and provide them with an important source of motivation on their way to becoming writers of the future. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality invites all young talents to this meaningful literary journey.
