The Forward Prizes for Poetry are among the most coveted awards in the UK and Ireland. In honouring fresh voices alongside famous names, including Seamus Heaney and Carol Ann Duffy, they inspire new audiences and bear witness to the self-renewing vigour of the art form. In an event chaired by the Forward Arts Foundation’s Executive Director, Susannah Herbert, and marking the 25th anniversary of the three prizes – for Best Collection, Best First Collection and Best Single Poem – three celebrated recipients, Don Paterson, Emily Berry and Scotland’s Makar, Jackie Kay, read from their award-winning collections. Along with prizes founder William Sieghart they also choose their own favourite works from the annual Forward books of poetry, and discuss the difficulty and delight of discovering great contemporary poetry.

This event is in partnership with the Forward Arts Foundation.

Looking Forward

Founded in 1820, the RSL acts as a voice for the value of literature, honouring and supporting emerging and established writers whilst creating a bridge between authors and audiences of all backgrounds and experiences to engage as many people as possible with the wealth of literature in the UK.

Looking Forward

Royal Society Literature