Pocket Island Poetry Open

To coincide with the 2023 NatWest International lsland Games XIX, to be held in Guernsey in July, Guernsey Arts are launching a Cultural Programme to run alongside the sporting competitions.  Each project is open to all islanders of competing islands, which includes the Outer Hebrides, and aims to build a collaborative legacy of the island's creative communities.

The first opportunity is the 'Pocket Islands Poetry Open' looking for submissions reflecting on 'A View of my Island' which will be included in a published booklet to be shared with the islands taking part.  Poems could concentrate on the beauty of our islands and its environment, social, political, heritage or figures, or how your island makes you feel and can be in either Gaelic or English.

Iain GG Campbell, General Team Manager of the Western Isles Island Games Association (WIIGA), commented

As well as competing in an elite international sporting event, one of the benefits of the Island Games is the opportunity for our top sports people to meet athletes from the competing islands from around the world and learning about their different customs and cultures. This project provides the chance for the many talented poets from the Outer Hebrides to put into words their thoughts on our islands and its people."

Jade Kershaw, Guernsey Arts Community Arts Development Officer stated

"We're really excited to be leading the cultural programme between participating Islands. We hope that we'll be able to build strong relationships across cultural organisations in all competing Islands, as well as creating a valuable insight and resource in how we view our Islands."

At least one poem for each competing island will be included in the booklet.  Entries for the Pocket Island Poetry are now open until 30th April 2023 and further information can be found via the Guernsey Arts website 

Further information on the WIIGA can be found on the WIIGA website