= The deadline for entries has passed. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to participate in the contest =
With the Martin Luther King Spoken Word contest, we bring together a community of poets, word artists and lovers of these art forms. Together, we celebrate the power of words, both within the VU community and beyond. Let your voice be heard, show your creativity and expression and inspire others with your story.
Theme
The theme of the Martin Luther King Lecture 2025, and therefore also of the Spoken Word contest, is 'Radical Social Justice'. Give your own twist to this timeless theme or talk about something close to your heart. Share your dreams and tell us your untold story.
Finalists
The jury, consisting of Dave Ensberg-Kleijkers (chair), Uchaindani Watson, and Yasin Nurmohamed, met on Tuesday, September 30 to judge all the impressive submissions and thrilling performances.
Three finalists have been nominated: Lorraine Siwabessy, Caitlin Shawn, and Thabang Mnculwane. They will perform during the Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture on Thursday, October 9, at 7:30 PM. The jury chair will announce the winner of the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Spoken Word Competition during the main program!
About the Martin Luther King Lecture
Martin Luther King's non-violent struggle for equal rights is an inspiration to this day. With his speeches, he enthused many and managed to build bridges and remove resistance. In 1965, King received an honorary doctorate in Social Sciences from VU Amsterdam. The annual Martin Luther King Lecture is in memory of his work and to inspire the prevailing zeitgeist. Prior to the lecture, a Spoken Word contest will take place at VU Amsterdam.