The Lagos International Poetry Festival (LIPFEST), which kicks off this year on the 21st of October and runs until the 24th will hosta N million poetry slam competition, the organises have said.
The festival’s lineup of activities include two workshops, a major performance evening, film screening, panels, and LIPFest’s inaugural one-million-naira winner-takes-all poetry slam.
LIPFest 2021’s inaugural slam competition, according to the statement, emphasises the role of young people in dreaming and building a future that answers the anxieties of today.
Entries for the slam are currently open at www.lagospoetryfestival.com/slam and close on the 10th of October. Shortlisted poets and spoken word artists will be announced on the 19th and will participate at the finale on the 22nd of October.
The winning poet walks away with N1 million and gets a performance slot at the festival’s concert evening on the 23rd of October at Terra Kulture.
This year’s guests include Saul Williams, Aja Monet, Yusef Komunyakaa, Femi Osofisan with poetry slam by Aja Monet, Femi Osofisan, and many more.
The festival draws a trans-generational selection of guests, pressing into the wisdom of the old and vision of the young in a period of heaviness.