Forward prize names poets Vidyan Ravinthiran and Karen Solie its first joint winners

"Vidyan Ravinthiran and Karen Solie have been named joint winners of this year's Forward prize for best collection, one of the UK's most prestigious poetry awards, marking the first time in the prize's history the honour has been shared. Ravinthiran, who was born in Leeds to Sri Lankan Tamil parents and now lives in the US, was recognised for Avidya. The collection is described as having emerged from journeys of great personal significance, and out of a migrant sensibility tied to three different countries."

"One judge, Lisa Kelly, said the winners address the urgent challenges of our time climate crisis, war and migration with personal insight and philosophical depth. The prize also recognised three other winners. Isabelle Baafi, a London-based poet of Jamaican and South African heritage, won the Jerwood prize for best first collection for Chaotic Good, described as a feat of formal brilliance that explores power and transformation through the story of escape from a toxic marriage."

Vidyan Ravinthiran and Karen Solie were named joint winners of the Forward prize for best collection, the first time the honour has been shared. Ravinthiran was recognised for Avidya, a collection emerging from significant personal journeys and a migrant sensibility across three countries. Solie won for Wellwater, a self-interrogative response to cultural crisis and an imperilled natural world. Each poet received 5,000 and the winners were announced at London's Southbank Centre. Judges praised the shortlisted works' ambition and noted engagement with urgent challenges such as climate crisis, war and migration. Additional winners included Isabelle Baafi, Abeer Ameer and Griot Gabriel.

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