Twenty-ninth Keats-Shelley Poetry Prize for schools - the winners

Saturday, June 6, 2020

The winners of the twenty-ninth Keats-Shelley House Poetry Prize for Schools were announced on 5th June, 2020 by guest judge Annelisa Alleva (in the photo), poet and translator of Russian literature into Italian. She has just published a new book called 'Selected poems' for Gradiva Publications.

You can watch the virtual ceremony on the Keats-Shelley House's Youtube channel.

This year's competition themes were:

"Clouds" or "Time" for students between the ages of 5 and 9
"Night" or "Contemplation" for students between the ages of 10 and 13
"Songbird" or "Fame" for students between the ages of 14 and 18

The Poetry Prize for Schools (poems in Italian and English), for students between the ages of 5 and 9, was won by Michael von Marsoner from St. George's British International School, Rome, for 'Nuvole 2020'. Sikandar Rorandelli, also, from St. George's British International School, Rome, was specially commended for the poem 'Time.'

The Poetry Prize for Schools (poems in English), for students between the ages of 10 and 13, was won by Aurora Veppi from Istituto Comprensivo Fiuggi-Acuto, Fiuggi, for her poem 'Nighty-Night'. Specially commended Sofia De Angelis from Britannia International School, Rome, for her poem 'Contemplation.'

The Poetry Prize for Schools (poems in Italian), for students between the ages of 10 and 13 was won by Letizia Damiani from Istituto Comprensivo Pio Fedi, Grotte S. Stefano (VT), for her poem 'Notte ovattata'. Specially commended Samantha Kami from Istituto Comprensivo Fiuggi-Acuto, Fiuggi, for her poem 'Una rosa rossa sanguinante.'

The Poetry Prize for Schools (poems in English), for students between the ages of 14 and 18 was won by Evan Parks from American Overseas School of Rome, Rome, for the poem 'Songbird'. Adriano Vannucci from Istituto San Leone Magno, Rome, was specially commended for the namesake poem 'Songbird.'

The Poetry Prize for Schools (poems in Italian), for students between the ages of 14 and 18 was won by Chiara Lepore from Liceo Statale "Saffo", Roseto degli Abruzzi (TE), for her poem 'Un tuffo nel cielo'. Specially commended for her poem 'Magica fuga' Teresa Vercelli from Liceo Classico Statale Francesco Vivona, Rome.

The texts of all the winning poems may be read here.

Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up in the twenty-ninth annual Keats-Shelley House Poetry Prize, and special thanks to this year’s guest judge Annelisa Alleva, who attended our virtual ceremony at the House.