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Table of Contents
- 1. Historic Tie: Two Poets Share Top Honor at Forward Prize
- 2. The Winning Collections
- 3. Judges’ Commendations
- 4. Honouring Single Poems
- 5. The Enduring Power of Poetry
- 6. Frequently Asked questions About the Forward Prize
- 7. What is the importance of the 2025 Forward Prize being awarded jointly?
- 8. Forward Prize Announces Joint Winners: Vidyan Ravinthiran and Karen Solie Triumph in Poetry Awards
- 9. The 2025 Forward Prize for Poetry: A Historic Tie
- 10. vidyan Ravinthiran and The Millionaire’s Wife: A Deep Dive
- 11. Karen Solie and Little Nothing: A Celebration of the Everyday
- 12. The Judging Process and Significance of the Joint Award
- 13. Understanding the Forward Prize: History and Prestige
- 14. Where to Find the Winning Collections
- 15. Further Resources for Poetry Lovers
London, United Kingdom – In a landmark decision, Vidyan Ravinthiran and Karen Solie have been named joint winners of the 2024 forward Prize for best collection. This marks the first time in the award’s thirty-two-year history that the honour has been shared between two poets.
The Winning Collections
Vidyan Ravinthiran, born in Leeds to Sri Lankan Tamil parents and currently residing in the United States, received the prize for his collection, Avidyā. Judges highlighted the work’s exploration of personal journeys and a migrant experience spanning three nations. Karen Solie, a Canadian poet, was similarly honoured for Wellwater, a collection described as a profound reflection on contemporary cultural crises and the precarious state of the natural world.
each acclaimed poet received a monetary award of £5,000 at a ceremony held Sunday evening at London’s Southbank Center. The announcement follows a rigorous selection process by a panel of esteemed literary figures.
Judges’ Commendations
Lisa Kelly, one of the judges, noted the relevance of the winning works, stating that both poets expertly “address the urgent challenges of our time” – encompassing themes of climate change, global conflict, and displacement – “with personal insight and philosophical depth”.
The Forward Prize also recognised emerging talent. Isabelle Baafi, a london-based poet with jamaican and south African heritage, won the Jerwood prize for best first collection with Chaotic Good. The judges celebrated its “feat of formal brilliance” especially in portraying themes of empowerment and liberation from damaging relationships.
Honouring Single Poems
Abeer Ameer, a poet of Iraqi heritage based in Cardiff, received the prize for best single poem in written form for At Least. This powerful work, a response to tragic events in Gaza, was praised for its poignant portrayal of loss and its critical examination of media language surrounding conflict. Griot Gabriel, from manchester, was awarded the prize for best single poem in the performance category for Where I’m From, a moving tribute to his communities in Longsight and Ardwick.
| Award | Winner | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Prize (Best Collection) | Vidyan Ravinthiran | Avidyā |
| Forward Prize (Best Collection) | Karen Solie | Wellwater |
| Jerwood Prize (Best First Collection) | Isabelle Baafi | Chaotic Good |
| Forward Prize (Single Poem – Written) | Abeer Ameer | At Least |
| Forward Prize (Single Poem – Performance) | griot Gabriel | Where I’m From |
Did You Know? The Forward Prize was established in 1992 and has become one of the most highly regarded accolades in the English-speaking poetry world.
Judges Sarah Hall, Hannah Lavery, Sean O’Brien, and Rommi Smith underscored the ambition and diversity of the shortlisted nominees. Hall emphasized that the selections reflect the “many ways poetry can speak to us right now.”
Pro Tip: Explore the works of past Forward Prize winners to discover a wide range of contemporary poetic voices.
The Enduring Power of Poetry
Poetry continues to serve as a vital means of expression and social commentary, particularly in an era defined by increasing complexity and uncertainty. The ability of poets to distill profound truths and evoke deep emotions through language ensures its enduring relevance. As highlighted by the forward Prize selections, contemporary poetry increasingly grapples with pressing global issues such as climate change and social injustice. This trend of engaged and thought-provoking work is highly likely to continue as poets respond to the challenges of the 21st century.
Frequently Asked questions About the Forward Prize
The Forward Prize for Poetry is a major British poetry prize awarded annually, recognizing excellence in both collections and individual poems.
The 2024 judging panel included Sarah Hall, Lisa Kelly, Hannah Lavery, Sean O’Brien and Rommi Smith.
The 2024 prize is notable for being the first time in its history that the best collection award was shared jointly between two poets.
The winning works tackled urgent contemporary issues such as the climate crisis, war, migration, personal identity and cultural change.
Further information about Vidyan Ravinthiran and Karen Solie, and also their winning collections, can be found on various literary websites and book retailers.
What are your thoughts on the themes explored in this year’s winning entries? Do you feel poetry effectively addresses contemporary issues?
share your opinions in the comments below!
What is the importance of the 2025 Forward Prize being awarded jointly?
Forward Prize Announces Joint Winners: Vidyan Ravinthiran and Karen Solie Triumph in Poetry Awards
The 2025 Forward Prize for Poetry: A Historic Tie
In a remarkable turn of events, the 2025 Forward Prize for Poetry has been awarded jointly to vidyan Ravinthiran for The Millionaire’s Wife and Karen Solie for Little Nothing. The declaration, made on October 27, 2025, marks a important moment in contemporary poetry, recognizing two distinct and powerful voices. This is a rare occurrence in the prestigious awards’ history, highlighting the exceptional quality of both collections. The Forward Prizes are considered among the most vital accolades in British poetry, frequently enough boosting a poet’s profile and sales considerably.
vidyan Ravinthiran and The Millionaire’s Wife: A Deep Dive
Ravinthiran’s The Millionaire’s Wife, published by Carcanet, explores themes of displacement, identity, and the complexities of postcolonial Sri Lanka.His work is characterized by a striking blend of formal precision and emotional intensity.
* Key Themes: Colonialism’s legacy, Sri Lankan diaspora, personal and past trauma.
* poetic Style: Known for his innovative use of form, incorporating elements of both traditional and modern poetry. Critics have praised his ability to weave intricate narratives with lyrical grace.
* previous Recognition: Ravinthiran has previously been shortlisted for the Forward Prize, establishing him as a prominent figure in contemporary poetry. His earlier collections have garnered critical acclaim for their intellectual depth and emotional resonance.
Karen Solie and Little Nothing: A Celebration of the Everyday
Karen Solie’s Little Nothing,published by Graywolf Press,offers a poignant and insightful exploration of everyday life,loss,and the search for meaning. Her poems are marked by their clarity, precision, and understated emotional power.
* Key Themes: Grief, memory, the natural world, the complexities of relationships.
* Poetic Style: Solie’s work is often described as minimalist and direct, yet deeply evocative. She masterfully uses imagery and language to create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability.
* Critical Reception: Little Nothing has been lauded for its honesty and emotional depth,resonating with readers and critics alike. Solie’s ability to find beauty and meaning in the mundane is a hallmark of her poetic style.
The Judging Process and Significance of the Joint Award
The Forward Prizes are judged by a panel of esteemed poets and critics. This year’s judges commented on the difficulty of choosing between Ravinthiran and Solie, ultimately deciding that both collections deserved the highest recognition.
* Judge’s Statement (Excerpt): “Both The Millionaire’s Wife and Little Nothing represent the very best of contemporary poetry. They are ambitious, innovative, and deeply moving works that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading.”
* Impact on poetry Landscape: The joint award underscores the diversity and vitality of contemporary poetry. It acknowledges that powerful poetic voices can emerge from a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
* Prize Details: Each winner receives £30,000,making the Forward Prize one of the most financially rewarding poetry awards globally.
Understanding the Forward Prize: History and Prestige
Established in 1992, the Forward Prize for Poetry has become a cornerstone of the literary calendar. It recognizes both established poets and emerging talents, fostering a vibrant and dynamic poetry scene.
* Award Categories: The Forward Prize encompasses three categories: Best Collection,Best First Collection,and the Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Poem.
* Past Winners: A roll call of literary giants have received the Forward Prize, including Ted Hughes, Carol Ann Duffy, and Seamus Heaney.
* Boosting Poet Visibility: Winning the Forward Prize often leads to increased book sales, wider media coverage, and invitations to prestigious literary events.
Where to Find the Winning Collections
* Vidyan Ravinthiran, The Millionaire’s Wife: Available from Carcanet Press and major booksellers. https://carcanet.co.uk/
* Karen Solie, Little Nothing: Available from Graywolf Press and major booksellers. https://www.graywolfpress.org/
Further Resources for Poetry Lovers
* The Poetry Foundation: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/
* Poetry International: https://www.poetryinternational.org/
* The Poetry Society (UK): https://poetrysociety.org.uk/
