Ādaži municipality opens competition for Ojārs Vācietis poetry prize

The Ādaži municipal government has announced its traditional competition for the Ojārs Vācietis literary prize in poetry. Poetry collections may be submitted until 5 p.m. on September 30.

Who can nominate candidates

Nominations may be made by publishing houses, newspaper and magazine editorial offices, cultural institutions, and state or public organizations. Any author who has published a new poetry collection in Latvian since last year's award ceremony up until this year's competition announcement is eligible.

Applications can be submitted in person or by mail at the Ādaži or Carnikava municipal service centers, accompanied by five copies of the published collection.

Prize and judging

The prize fund totals 1,000 euros after taxes. Entries will be evaluated by a commission appointed by the municipal council, including teacher and Vācietis family representative Ilze Vāciete, writer and museum specialist Mārtiņš Bērziņš, 2018 laureate Daina Sirmā, library director Ilze Ezermale, and writer Agnese Vanaga.

The winner will be announced in November at a commemorative event honoring Vācietis, held this year at his memorial museum, with results also published on the municipality's website. Last year's prize went to former Carnikava resident and Ādaži secondary school graduate Artis Ostups for his collection "Patiesība" ("Truth").

History

The prize was established in 1984 and has been awarded by the Ādaži municipality since 2003, in cooperation with the Ojārs Vācietis museum and society. Past laureates include poets such as Vizma Belševica, Imants Ziedonis, Māra Zālīte, Amanda Aizpuriete, and Inga Gaile.