The Word Exchange competition
Southbank Centre
About the Open Call
The Word Exchange competition is part of the 'A Poet in Every Port' project, celebrating language and dialect across the UK. Participants create short poems reflecting on local words, phrases, and history. To enter, applicants must post a video reading of their poem on Instagram or TikTok (using #APoetinEveryPort and tagging @SouthbankCentre) and complete an official online entry form.
What is Offered
The winner receives a performance slot at the London Literature Festival (Autumn 2027), travel and accommodation, two online sessions with an established poet, and two complimentary guest tickets.
Requirements
Applicants must be aged 16 or over and live in the UK. The poem must be original, and the submission video must not exceed three minutes in length.
How to Apply
1. Create a Word Exchange poem. 2. Record and post a video of the reading on Instagram or TikTok with #APoetinEveryPort and @SouthbankCentre. 3. Submit the official entry form via the Southbank Centre website.
Key Information
Deadline
November 30, 2026
Location
London, United Kingdom
Categories
Compensation
paid