Poetry prize celebrates voices of depth and humanity

Late August saw Guangzhou transform into a living stage for verse, where voices from across continents converged in celebration of poetry's power to bridge cultures. Over 100 poets, writers, and readers gathered for the 16th and 17th editions of The Poetry and People — International Poetry Prize, turning the southern Chinese city into a vibrant hub of rhythm and reflection.

This year, the awards honored British poet of Indian descent Bhanu Kapil and North Macedonian poet Nikola Madzirov on Aug 30, recognizing their exceptional contributions to the literary world.

Established in 2005 by Chinese poet Huang Lihai, The Poetry and People — International Poetry Prize is an esteemed annual award dedicated to discovering and honoring poets who demonstrate spiritual depth and linguistic creativity. The prize also serves as a bridge for cultural exchange, connecting Chinese poetry with global perspectives.

The prize gained significant attention in 2011 when it was awarded to Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer, who later received the Nobel Prize in Literature that same year. Other notable winners include Portuguese poet Eugenio de Andrade, Russian poet Inna Lisnyanskaya, Slovenian poet Tomaz Salamun, Polish poet Adam Zagajewski, and American poet Rita Dove, among others.

Javier Yanez, president of the Santiago International Poetry Festival in Chile, while attending the ceremony in Guangzhou, said the award and its platform not only bring recognition and respect to the winners but also amplify their voices in a way that is unique on the global stage.

This year, the 16th award was presented to Bhanu Kapil, with hopes of introducing her work to the Chinese poetry community. In his award statement, Huang praised Kapil's unwavering exploration and profound authenticity, noting how her writing reflects the turbulence of our times and awakens societal conscience.

Accepting the award via video, Kapil expressed her gratitude, emphasizing the joy of connecting with fellow poets: "The best part of being a poet, after all, has been time spent with other poets, listening to their poems. As in: Who are we when we are not with each other? Who are we when we are not alone?"

For the 17th award, Huang highlighted Nikola Madzirov's poetry, rooted deeply in Balkan memory and offering new insights into pain, hope, and humanity. Madzirov, a celebrated poet, essayist, and translator, is recognized as a leading voice of 21st-century Eastern European poetry, carrying forward the tradition of greats like Polish poets Czes?aw Milosz and Zbigniew Herbert.

Huang said: "Nikola Madzirov's poetry is deeply rooted in the fertile soil of Balkan memory. He passes through the inevitability of fate, crosses the ruins of history and the fissures of culture, and emerges from the fog of an era to offer us a new beacon by which to understand pain, hope, and humanity.

"His writing is a dual practice between the presence of life and the cry of the spirit, safeguarding the light among human beings, where, in the depths of ashes, the unextinguished spark of poetry remains."

In his acceptance speech, Madzirov expressed deep gratitude to Huang and the contemporary Chinese poets he engages with, reflecting on the transient nature of awards and the enduring journey of creation.

"The greatest impact of awards comes when they fade into oblivion, when you stop remembering them, when you are ready to begin again — from the frightening emptiness of the page and the screen, from the silence of your own shout," he said.

Looking back on the award's founding two decades ago, Huang reflected on his vision of fostering dialogue with the world's great literary minds. He noted that while poetry may remain niche, it continues to be the highest expression of the human spirit. "The Poetry and People-International Poetry Award will continue to be awarded, honoring the vibrant human spirit, time, ideals, and the hope carried forward by language," he said.