The call for the 2024 Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest will be open between 14 May and 22 July 2024. The results will be announced on 8 November 2024.
The Doreen Micallef National Poetry Contest is the most prestigious prize for a single poem contest in Maltese. Each year the contest is judged by a new set of judges appointed by the National Book Council.
The jury evaluates all poems anonymously according to a set of criteria which consider authenticity, imagination, distinctiveness of voice, and original use of rhythm and figures of speech.
Contest winners will be announced and awarded their prize at an official ceremony during the 2024 Malta Book Festival. The jury reserves the right not to issue the awards if it deems submissions not to have reached the required standard.
Three Prizes
First Prize: €1,000
Second Prize: €500
Third Prize: €200
How to apply
Entries should reach the National Book Council by the application period deadline of Monday 22 July 2024 at 12.00pm (noon).
As of this edition, submissions of an unpublished original poem in the Maltese language and not exceeding 36 verses in length, should be submitted exclusively through the online application form by the closing date of the contest.
All applicants are encouraged to read the rules carefully before making their submission.
An online application form will also be made available once the application period opens.
2023
First prize: Leanne Ellul for ix-xnigħat ta’ xmux u dwalijiet għammiexa
Second prize: Claudia Gauci for Penthos
Third prize: Glen Calleja for RSVP
Judges
Irene Mangion
Justine Somerville
Caldon Mercieca
2022
First prize: Therese Pace for Fuq l-Aġenda tal-Għajn ta’ Doreen
Second prize: Jasmine Bajada for Mużew tal-Istorja Naturali, l-Imdina
Third prize: Miriam Calleja for Kamra Żgħira, Xi Mkien
Judges
Rena Balzan
Norbert Bugeja
Glen Calleja
2021
First prize: Carmel Scicluna for Submersi Filii
Second prize: Ritianne Frendo for Mas-Sikta tal-Ħarifa
Third prize: Jonathan Balzan for Hawala
Judges
Dr Josette Attard
Prof. Carmel Borg
Karl Schembri
2020
First prize: Klara Vassallo for Dokumentazzjoni tal-minuti mnikkra fik
Second prize: Louis Briffa for Tgħix Irridek
Third prize: Jesmond Sharples for F’Posti
Judges
Dr. Immanuel Mifsud
Nadia Mifsud
John Aquilina
2019
First prize: Nadia Mifsud for ‘Varjazzjonijiet tas-Skiet’
Second prize: Louis Briffa for ‘NES Qaqqari’
Third prize: Ritianne Frendo for ‘Preludju mħarbat’
Judges
Dr. Claudine Borg
Prof. Charles Briffa
Antoine Cassar