Poetry all-around – the competition in skills of interpreting one’s own poetry
Carousel
I’m turning, oh God, turning in circle:
a song today, nothing tomorrow.
and again.
am I on a carousel? is this a circus?
I’m turning and repeating words.
in this a circus.
on this carousel.
(JOŽE Štucin)
The all-around competition is very popular among literary artists, as it helps to popularise poetry in an original way. Competitors are invited to participate through a public tender, published in all major media and portals, and they have to make their way through qualification and four rounds of competition. The event will be managed and moderated by Nino Flisar, the author of the project. A committee consisting of renowned writers and critics and audiences in a 50:50 ratio assess the poems. The top four in points after three rounds are placed in the grand final, where they perform in a section, called free according to Prešeren or in improvisation. The audience selects five words, the candidates must use in the poem in the grand finale. The op three in points receive attractive prizes contributed by the sponsors of the project.
Past winners of Poetry all-around who have successfully swept the competition away were Jan Šmarčan (2006), Damir Rudolf (2007), Simona Kopinšek (2008), Jana Kolarič (2009) and Denis Škofič (2011).