Today in our poetry news round up, we look at this years recipient of the King’s Gold Medal for Poetry.
Hungarian Poet George Szirtes – King’s Gold Medal for Poetry Recipient
George Szirtes, the British poet born in Hungary, has been named as the recipient of the King’s Gold Medal for Poetry. This will be given to him by His Majesty King Charles the 3rd. This is a prestigious honour that King George V established in 1933 at the suggestion John Masefield, the poet laureate at the time. The award is given in recognition of exceptional poetic contributions made over several years. It is presented annually to a poet who is either from the UK or from the Commonwealth.
Szirtes arrived in the UK in 1956 as a refugee; he was just eight years old. Over the years he has become a leading figure in British literature. His work is inspired by modern issues and often makes a nod to global events.
Speaking about the award, Szirtes said
He also said that winning the award was an astonishing achievement as English was his second language and it took him time to master it. The award surpasses all of his expectations particularly given what he terms his lack of background and formal education.
Simon Armitage, the current poet laureate is a great admirer of Szirtes’ work. He feels that is shows a unique combination of the poets careful observation and also social critique. He said,
The poet himself often reflects on the his complex identity and refers to himself as both English and an ‘Anglophile Hungarian guest.’ He is highly delighted that whilst there is no monetary prize for the award, the title itself is prize enough, he will get the opportunity to meet King Charles III.
Szirtes has had an outstanding career and has had many of his works translated into his other language, Hungarian. His newest volume looks at the life story of his own mother which further cements his own legacy as a poet with deep historical and emotional resonance.
His published works include poetry, biographies and translations. His 2004 poetry collection titled “Reel” won the TS Eliot Prize in the same year, whilst The Photographer at Sixteen, a memoir about his mother was a winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Biography.
He has a total of 13 poetry collections published in his name many of which delve into his family’s arrival in England. One of his more recent books Fresh Out of the Sky focuses mainly on the pandemic.
The award and the recognition that it brings placed Szirtes among a list of very esteemed poets who have been instrumental in shaping culture and literature across the Commonwealth.
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