APVA collaborates closely with selected keynote speakers from organizations working in the best interests of Africa and its youth to host a virtual Poetry Slam with ten spoken-word artists! This is an opportunity for pan-African creatives to share original poems on the theme “Utukufu; The Glory of Africa.”
May 25th is the annual celebration of African independence and freedom. It commemorates the first union of African nations on African soil, which took place on May 25, 1963.
“Utukufu,” the premise of this program, means Glory or Glorious in Swahili, “Utukufu” is set to be a beautiful occasion to celebrate the continent of Africa, its rich culture, and its diversity. What better way to honor Africa than by showcasing its variety of creatives?
APVA will collaborate closely with selected keynote speakers from organizations working in the best interests of Africa and its youth.
To commemorate Africa Day, APVA will host a virtual Poetry Slam with ten spoken-word artists! This is an opportunity for pan-African creatives to share original poems on the theme “Utukufu; The Glory of Africa.”
Send us your 3-minute video by filling in the information needed, and following these steps.
- Only spoken word artists of African descent and resident in Africa are permitted to apply
- Participants must be 18 and older (based on their age as of May 2023).
- Each poem must be original, of the poet’s own creation, and the author needs to be the one performing the poem.
- All submissions must be in English language
- All submissions [at all stages] must be videos uploaded on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtags
#Utukufu #Utukufu2023 #AfricaDay #Africaday2023 . [While it does not affect your scores as an independent Judge panel will be handling this, it is a requirement for selection and progress during the process] - Anger and fury are entirely appropriate emotions to express in your submission as long as it is done creatively. Avoid using foul language.
Deadline: Submissions are due May 15th 2023.
- Create an original poem that speaks to the theme of “Utukufu, the Glory of Africa”, to be recited in a 3-minute video.
- Record and ensure that you are the only person in the video.
- We encourage contestants to send in artistic, creative, and original videos. It must not have been previously published or used for commercial purposes. All content used in the video, including any music, must be original.
- Do not include any graphics, text, or captions in your video. The focus should solely be on your spoken-word performance.
- Submissions will be judged on the strength and creativity of the spoken-word performance, as well as its relevance to the theme of “Utukufu, the Glory of Africa”.
- An independent panel of judges will review and evaluate all entries on a rolling basis until the 15th of May, 2023.
- Judging will take place throughout the month of May, and selected participants will be contacted via email.
- The top five contestants’ videos will be featured on all APVA platforms.
- The top three winners will be announced during the Africa Day celebration ceremony.
- Cash prizes are as follows $2000 cash prize for the winner, $1000 cash prize for the 1st runner up, $500 cash prize for the second runner up
- The winners are solely responsible for any tax obligations for the prize award.
By submitting an entry to this Poetry Slam competition, you retain the copyright to your entry and agree to grant APVA a non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, and worldwide permission to use and publicly display your entry in any media, including but not limited to APVA’s printed publications, social media platforms, and websites, with appropriate attribution to you as the copyright owner of the winning entries.
APVA reserves the right to use or not use any entry, or to take down an entry already posted to any of its digital channels, at its sole discretion. For entries submitted but not selected as winners, the copyright owner retains all rights.
APVA does not charge a fee or request any information on participants’ bank accounts at any stage of this contest. Participants should be aware of potential scams.
All submissions are public and not private communications. APVA is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information used in connection with the social media campaign or for any failures or errors that may occur in the administration of the competition. By submitting an entry, you agree to release and hold harmless APVA from any damage, loss, liability, or injury to person or property or for any claim arising as a result of your entry into the competition.
You represent and warrant that you are the rightful owner of your entry and all associated rights; that you have not infringed on any third-party rights, including copyrights, trademarks, industrial property, trade secrets, confidentiality obligations, and rights of privacy and publicity; and that you have obtained any necessary written release(s) or permission(s) to use any third-party rights or intellectual property. You further represent and warrant that you have not violated any applicable laws in any country in the world.
By submitting an entry, you agree that APVA has the right to verify the ownership and originality of your entry. If your entry is selected as a winning entry and the ownership rights and originality cannot be verified, APVA may select an alternate winner. All decisions made by APVA are final.
By submitting an entry, you accept and agree to these terms and conditions. If you disagree with these terms and conditions, do not submit an entry.
Nothing in these terms and conditions shall constitute or be considered a limitation upon or a waiver of the privileges and immunities of APVA, which are specifically reserved.
To participate in this competition, APVA will collect your personal data, including your name, age, email address, Twitter and/or Instagram handle, and country of residence, to administer the social media campaign. APVA will process your personal data in accordance with these terms and conditions and with its privacy notice.
By entering this competition, you agree to APVA’s use of your entry and processing of your personal data. APVA may also publish your name, age, Twitter and/or Instagram handle, and country on the Poetry Slam website with the selected entry.
