£500 prize up for grabs as 2024 Micropoetry Competition opens

18 Jan 2024

To mark our 200th year, our Micropoetry competition is back with esteemed poet and former Chancellor of the University, Lemn Sissay, returning to the judging panel for 2024.

In 2024, The University of Manchester is marking its bicentenary. It’s a year to celebrate 200 years of learning, innovation and research.

To mark our 200th year, our Micropoetry competition is back with esteemed poet and former Chancellor of the University, Lemn Sissay, returning to the judging panel for 2024. The competition themed is ‘200 years of creativity: Manchester’s past, present or future’.

Our theme focuses on Manchester, a city with a global reach that celebrates its connections across the world.

Entries may be submitted between Wednesday, 17 January 2024 and Wednesday, 10 April 2024. Participants are invited to write a micropoem, in no more than 280 characters, and include the hashtag #micropoem24.

Let your imagination lead your discovery and creativity: your micropoem might explore Greater Manchester’s industrial past, or dive into the modern-day Manchester and everything it has to offer. As a pioneer in word-leading research for two centuries, we are sure there’s more to come, so maybe pen something you see in Manchester’s future.

“Inspired by Lemn Sissay's daily poem on social media, we are asking everyone to have a go at capturing their connection to Manchester’s creative spirit. We hope your micropoems will offer snapshots that will speak to other readers now and in future!" said Professor John McAuliffe, Creative Manchester Director.

Listen to John talking about the competition and what micropoetry is here.

Send us short poems by Wednesday, 10 April 2024. Try your hand in our #micropoem24 competition! For the full entry details as well as the terms and conditions, visit the website.