Galaxy Competition for Youth, 2007
(French Language Poetry)

Organization :

Festival International de la Poésie
1497, rue Laviolette, C.P. 335
Trois-Rivières (Québec) G9A 5G4
Telephone : (819) 379-9813 – fax : (819) 376-0774
Email: gaston.bellemare@fiptr.com
Contact: Gaston Bellemare

Literary genre : Poetry

Origin of prize :

Established by Huguette Orly and formerly sponsored by the Société des Écrivains canadiens de Québec, this competition is now run by the Trois Rivières International Poetry Festival.

OBJECTIVE

To have children write to a humanitarian theme, in order to nurture in them a sense of community with their francophone peers around the world, despite cultural differences.

THEME for 2007

Children have eyes like a magician.

Think about the pain and suffering of millions of children around the world. Being a child yourself, what would you change with a magic blink of the eye?

CONTEST RULES:

  1. Age Requirements :
    1. “Little Folk” Category : 6 to 8
    2. “Junior” Category  : 9 to 13
  2. The poem must be written on 21,5 x 28 cm (8 1/2 x 11-inch) paper.
  3. Requirements: individual work only
    Compliance with the theme :
    1. Structural consistency
    2. Originality: images, rhythm, richness of diction
    3. Quality of language: adherence to the rules of spelling and syntax
  4. Authors are encouraged -- but not required -- to illustrate their poem (on the same page). Note that only the poem will be judged.
  5. Name, family name, age, and mailing address of the author should be clearly indicated on the back of the poem, followed by the names, phone numbers, fax numbers, addresses (email and postal) of the child’s school and teacher.Monument to the Unknown Poet
  6. Deadline for entries: the postmark, fax report, or email record will be proof of the date on which the entry was submitted. Poems should be sent to the address below on or before February 14, Valentine’s Day, the same day the mayor of Trois Rivières places flowers at the – the only one of its kind – in honour of all the poets of the world.thInter-National Prize
  7. Only the names of regional or national winners, along with copies of their poems, should be sent to the International Poetry Festival, and this, on or before February 14 (by email or fax). An international jury wiill then determine who wins the . However, the total number of children participating in each regional and national contest should be indicated.
  8. The decision to widen the competition to solicit regional or national entries will be left to the discretion of participating organizations.stWorldPoetry DaySemaine de la francophonie FRANCOPHONIE
  9. Regional and/or national winners (prize-laden or not, depending on the countries or regions involved) could either be announced on March 21 of the given year, christened by UNESCO and aptly falling during la (a week-longcelebration of la francophonie), or during another such event with a theme. If possible, the announcement should be made in the presence of those organizations representing the participants. 

Jury :

  • A jury will be set up to deliberate in each region or country with submissions to the competition. If possible, the jury will consist of both youth and adult writers who will judge the poems and determine the winners in their jurisdiction.

Note :

It is recommended that an exhibit (possibly followed by a prize-giving ceremony and public reading) called FENÊTRE SUR LA GALAXIE, JEUNE POÉSIE FRANCOPHONE (A Window on the Galaxy: Youth Poetry in French) – take place. This event could coincide with the 23rd International Poetry Festival (September 28th to October 7th 2007). With time, an international “movement” could be established. Prizes will be awarded to international winners by the International Poetry Festival. The poems of regional and national winners, teachers’ names, and names of schools will be posted on the website of the International Poetry Festival for a period of one year.









Photo: OTCTR