The theme of the Martin Luther King Lecture 2023, and therefore of the Spoken Word competition, is ‘Why We Can’t Wait’. The link with the history of slavery is easy to make, but you can also take a broader interpretation of these words. Think, for instance, of identity, social injustice or personal growth. Create your own twist on this timeless theme or talk about something close to your heart. Share your dreams and tell us your untold story.
Are you a word artist, poet or storyteller dreaming of a performance on stage? Become inspired by the ideas of Martin Luther King and get a chance to win a prize of 750 euros and a performance at the Martin Luther King Lecture at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Inspire others with your story. The deadline for submission is Monday 25 September 2023.
Spoken Word contest 2021
Language has many voices. Some are still heard too little. During the Martin Luther King Lecture 2021, held on 28 October, we were able to listen to untold stories, hidden histories and suppressed heartfelt cries. One of the elements of the programme of the lecture was the Martin Luther King Spoken Word contest.
The Martin Luther King Spoken Word contest took place for the third time. From over ninety entries, the expert jury, consisting of Babs Gons, Dorothy Blokland, Onias Landveld and Dave Ensberg, selected five nominees who were allowed to perform their entry live on Black Heritage Night: Noë van Leeuwen, Anna van Doorn, Dina Bousbaa, Tasha Mhishi and Kwan Suppaiboonsuk.
The five nominees were praised by the jury for their beautiful and powerful words. "We were looking for hope, like Martin Luther King expressed his hope. We were not necessarily looking for happy endings, but for the small cracks through which the light shines. Wraiths little snippets or small pieces of dream between the lines", jury member Babs Gons said. It was Tasha Mhishi who eventually won the Martin Luther King Spoken Word contest 2021 with her entry 'No title'.
Watch the entries of the five nominees of the Martin Luther King Spoken Word contest 2021 and the jury report:
Kwan Suppaiboonsuk - More than just a number
(Foto: UPI/From the film poster: A Filmed Record. Montgomery to Memphis)