Entertainer and writer, Simon Taylor has won the 2011 Australian Poetry Slam Victorian final held at the State Library of Victoria last Friday night.
Taylor performed his poem, I love language, which expressed his ‘enthusiasm for the multifaceted nature of language’. Speaking after his win, Taylor said he was surprised to find himself in the same league as the other slam poets.
‘This is the first time I’ve competed in the Australian Poetry Slam. To be considered worthy of representing Victoria was quite a shock. I am very grateful that the poetry slam community is so welcoming and nurturing. For me the competition is secondary to that feeling of goodwill,’ he said.
Writer and performer Luka Lesson was runner up with his poem, The new crusades, that explored themes of war and protest. This was his third year performing in an Australian Poetry Slam state final.
Poetry Slam rules allow each poet two minutes to perform their work. The performances are judged by randomly selected audience members who give a score out of ten. The performance with the highest score wins.
Simon Taylor and Luka Lesson will now compete in the National Final at the Sydney Theatre, Sydney on Sunday 27 November 2011.
The Australian Poetry Slam Champion wins a tour of China as part of the Bookworm International Literary Festival and will be invited to be a part of the Ubud International Writers and Readers Festival in Bali – worth approximately $11,000.
The Australian Poetry Slam is presented in Victoria by the State Library of Victoria in partnership with Public Libraries Victoria Network. It is co-created nationally by Word Travels, supported by state, territory and public libraries and festivals across the country.
More information about the Australian Poetry Slam
We’re holding a FREE slam poetry workshop at City Library with Luka Lesson. Thursday 1 December, 6pm to 7.30pm. For more info and bookings, go to: melbournelibraryservice.com.au
Sounds like a great opportunity to learn from the 2011 Australian Poetry Slam champion.