After a Covid-interrupted year and a slightly longer spell wearing the robes than usual, the search has begun to find a new national poet.

Entries and submission from Manx writers and poets to become the next Manx Bard are now being accepted and the organisers are urging writers who would not necessarily consider themselves traditional poets to put themselves forward for the role.

The role of the Manx Bard has often required the poet to be more than just a writer and often has to stand up in front of crowds and deliver their lines in their own unique way, more in line with a spoken-word performer.

Bridge Carter, from the Manx Bard committee, said that, while both styles share many similarities, there is a real difference between a traditional poet and a spoken word performer.

’What we are looking for in a Bard is someone who can both write poetry and deliver by way of spoken word and performance in their own unique style,’ said Bridge.

’Performance poetry, aka "Spoken Word", and traditional written poetry have their similarities but serve different styles of expression with different purposes.

’Traditional written poetry is more intimate and contains the artist’s thoughts and emotions.

’Spoken word however, whilst it also contains these elements, is written in a way that enables the artist to express themselves with their own style of performance often to prompt a reaction from their audience. It is a bit like what an actor does in a theatre performance.’

The current Manx Bard, Zoe Cannell, has held the post for two terms, after it was decided not to hold a selection process throughout the turmoil last year.

Bridge is excited to add another name to the growing list of Manx Bards and youth Bards.

’I’m so excited to be able to get this underway after our recent spate of lockdowns but also very grateful to Zoe for "holding the fort" for a second term,’ she said.

’Zoe has been a wonderful and most instrumental Manx Bard and, with much of April and August still to continue in her role as the current Bard. There are some very exciting events that are lined up for both Zoe and our new Manx Youth Bard Brintha Yasodaran.

’I’d like to think that those with a passion for expression will enter and together with the diversity of our already established Bards bring awareness and understanding of not just our own traditional values, heritage, and culture but also to what else is going on in the world around us be it comical, political or whatever manner they wish to direct it in.’

Details on how to enter for the next Manx Bard are available by emailing [email protected]

The closing date is August 16.

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers