A Day in the Life – Arabic version
Liverpool Hope University and Liverpool Arab Arts Festival are giving away £1,000 worth of prizes as part of a literary competition for aspiring writers.
Now in its second year, A Day in the Life is a short story and poetry competition open to anyone of Arab heritage living in Liverpool City Region.
Inspired by Liverpool Arab Arts Festival’s 2023 theme of storytelling, entrants are being invited to submit either a poem or short story which tell real or fictional stories inspired by their lives in Liverpool City Region.
Entries can be submitted in both written and video form and the closing date for submissions has been extended to 5pm, Monday 19 June 2023.
Following the success of last year’s competition, the 2023 instalment will be open to more people than ever after the entry requirements were expanded to include adults of all ages.
This year’s edition will be split into three categories:
- Under 16 years old
- 17-24 years old and
- 25 years old and over
The top three in each bracket will each receive the following prizes: 1st: £150, 2nd: £100, 3rd: £75.
Professor Michael Lavalette, Liverpool Hope University’s Dean of the School of Social Sciences, said:
“This is a great opportunity for aspiring young writers and creative thinkers. What we really want to see are poems or short stories that offer a window into someone’s lived experience. There are no restrictions as to what you might address – this is about how you interpret a day in your own life.
Applicants can use a variety of mediums to capture their thoughts, whether it’s a written poem or short story, or whether you turn those ideas into a video or social media snippet. Both Liverpool Hope University and Liverpool Arab Arts Festival are committed to fostering links between communities, and we hope this is a way to build further bridges.”
Afrah Qassim, Chair of Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, said: “We are delighted to partner again with Liverpool Hope University for the second A Day in the Life competition.
“We had a strong response to the first competition from aspiring writers of Arab heritage last year. The presentations at our Family Day event were one of the highlights of the whole festival. By expanding the competition age range, we hope to celebrate even more creative writing talent within the city region this year.”
The competition will be judged by writers/poets from Liverpool Hope University and Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, with the winners collecting their prize at the spectacular Family Day event on Sunday 16 July at Sefton Park Palm House.
Terms and Conditions
The competition is open to those living in the Liverpool City Region with Arab heritage.
Any video-based submissions must be either one minute in duration, or less.
Any written submissions must be of a maximum permitted 500 words in length. Entries can be submitted in either English and/or Arabic.
Categories for applicants are as follows:
- Under 16
- 17-24 years old
- 25 and over
Prizes are as follows, for each age group: 1st: £150 2nd: £100 3rd: £75
Submit your application by completing the form below.
Please also include contact details for either yourself or your legal guardian.
For any questions regarding the competition, please email: admin@arabicartsfestival.co.uk
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Finalists from each entry category will be invited with their families to the event on Sunday 16th July.
Winners will be announced on the day of the event – if you can’t be there on the day, please nominate someone to collect the award for you.
Prize money will be awarded via a gift card for leading High Street retailers.
