Buenos Aires, Argentina—“Peace in the Heart and Light for the World” is the theme of the UPF-Argentina’s seventh annual International Poetry Contest. It is open to writers, poets, students, and all those who feel inspired to express content of universal value on this theme in Spanish. Winners will be announced at the International Day of Peace program in Buenos Aires on September 21, 2015. Deadline for submissions is July 31, 2015. Poems may be sent by email to
This year, a mini-contest has been added: artists are invited to submit designs to be considered as the cover for an anthology that will be created of the winning poems. The illustration should reflect the theme of the contest, “Peace in the Heart and Light for the World,” and be submitted to
RULES
VII INTERNATIONAL POETRY CONTEST RULES—UPF-ARGENTINA
“Peace in the Heart and Light for the World”
In conjunction with the International Day of Peace 2015
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed”-Preamble of UNESCO’s Constitution (1945)
1. Objective: Despite historical disappointments and conflicts that are still in force, world peace is still an indispensable imperative, an inescapable moral duty, a possible goal, and a task to be achieved. Culture, particularly literature, can make a contribution, based on common values of universal brotherhood, transcending boundaries, traditions, and religions. It is expected that this aspiration, which is both an individual and a universal longing inscribed in the hearts of peoples and cultures, will be embodied in the writings of the VII International Poetry Contest of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) of Argentina, whose theme this year is “Peace in the Heart and Light for the World.” This is connected to the International Day of Peace 2015, which was established by UN Resolution 36/67 to “commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace in every nation and every people and among them.”
2. Formalities: The VII International Poetry Contest, “Peace in the Heart and Light for the World,” is open to writers, poets, students, and anyone who feels inspired to express content of universal value about the subject. Each participant may submit one poem, in Spanish, and shall state on the paper his/her personal data: name and surname; nationality; current address (city, province/state, country, and zipcode); phone number; and an e-mail address in order to learn the jury’s evaluation and the award-winning poems. The format shall be a poem written in verse not to exceed one page of an A4 size paper. The poem may be sent by e-mail to:
3. Beginning of the contest: June 1, 2015
Deadline: July 31, 2015
4. Jury: Prof. Bertha Bilbao Richter, literary critic and member of the Hispanic Cultural and Literary Institute (ILCH) and the Argentine Society of Writers (SADE); writer and plastic artist Mabel Fontau, Girdle of Honor of SADE and member of the ILCH; poet Donato Perrone, from the Ateneo Poético Argentino “Alfonsina Storni," Coordinator of the Lyrics Corner from Café Tortoni and representative of the Poets Group Livres de Santa Catarina (Brazil); writer and plastic artist Martha Edith Candioti, director of “Siete Palabras Ecléctico“ and president of the Argentinian Poetic Association “Alfonsina Storni;" and a local representative of UPF—all of whom are Ambassadors for Peace. The Jury’s verdict will be final and shall have power to determine any question not covered by these rules.
5. Patrons: The writer and poet Juana Alcira Arancibia, founder and president of ILCH and chief editor of the prestigious international literary magazine “Alba de América”; the Brazilian poet Marina Fagundes Coello, bilingual writer (Portuguese-Spanish) and member of various literary circles in America; and the writer and poet Nélida Pessagno, vice president of SADE and titular counselor and main counselor of the foundation El Libro; and writer Liria Guedes, a member of SADE and the American Poetry Association.
6. Awards: The winning poem will be read by the author, or by someone chosen by the author, at the award ceremony. They will also receive a Certificate of Recognition and the poem will be publicized nationally and internationally. Four Honorable Mentions, five Special Mentions, and two Mentions will be awarded with their respective certificates. Each person who wins will also receive gifts, and their poems will be included in the anthology as a way of promoting and spreading peace culture.
7. Anthology Cover: The contest also invites artists to submit designs to be considered as the cover for the anthology. The illustration should reflect the theme of the contest, “Peace in the Heart and Light for the World” and be submitted to
8. Awards Ceremony: The presentation of awards will take place at the celebration of the International Day of Peace in an artistic, cultural and interreligious event that will be held on the date established by UN Resolution 36/67, organized by the Universal Peace Federation of Argentina, on Monday, September 21, 2015, with further details to be forthcoming.
9. Organizer: UPF-Argentina, whose international slogans are: “The hope of all ages is a unified world of peace,” and “One global family centered on God,” organized this seventh annual International Poetry Contest.
10. Participation in this contest implies acceptance of these terms.