Richard Burton’s glittering career spanned decades, inspired generations, and reached a global audience.
Yet the man who inspired Richard, and gave him the training and opportunities to find success, deserves recognition and celebration in his own right.
During the Richard Burton Centenary, we are also proud to shine a light on the life and legacy of his mentor and adoptive father, Philip Burton.
Both Philip and Richard Burton will be honoured with a Blue Plaque during Centenary Week (read the full story here), and at the unveiling of Philip Burton’s plaque, we would like a young poet to read an original poem celebrating their lives.
Find out more on the Literature Wales website: https://www.literaturewales.org/for-writers/opportunities/
Submission & Usage Guidelines:
To submit your poetry entry, please email DramaticHeartofWales@rethinkprm.com with the subject line ‘Centenary Poem’. Please include a description of the poem you will write, and either share previous examples of work or write one verse of your poem to show a stylistic example.
Poets submitting their work must be available on Monday 10th November to read their poem at the Blue Plaque unveiling. Entrants must be aged 16 – 25.
Deadline to submit: 10th October. The winning commission will be selected by 24th October.
Fee: £500.00
Further Usage and T&Cs: This project is funded by Neath Port Talbot Council and the Welsh Government. Upon completion, the copyright of the work commissioned through this call out will sit with Neath Port Talbot Council, however an agreement will be put in place with the poet and NPTCBC is open to discussing how this work can continue to be used by the poet in future. The poem may be used in marketing material to promote the Richard Burton Centenary, which could take the form of social media posts, videography, photography.