LAHORE – The U.S. Mission to Pakistan, in collaboration with Urban Word, hosted an event at the Alhamra Arts Center to commemorate the first-ever Youth Poet Laureate program in Pakistan. From 19 finalists, two gifted young poets—one writing in English and the other in Urdu—were selected as the inaugural Pakistan Youth Poets Laureate. The winners will travel to Washington D.C. to perform at the Kennedy Center in April 2025. An anthology titled Jashn, featuring the finalists’ poems, was published and distributed during the event.

This initiative is the first of its kind globally, established by Urban Word, an award-winning youth literary organization that initiated the National Youth Poet Laureate Program in the United States in 2008. This U.S. program has received widespread recognition.

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Beginning in February 2023, this U.S.-funded initiative invited Pakistani writers aged 16-25 to submit original poetry in English or Urdu. The contest attracted over 1,400 entries from across Pakistan. A panel of judges chose 10 poets in each language for the inaugural cohort of Pakistan Youth Poet Laureate finalists. Over the last five months, celebrated poets and artists mentored these finalists, who subsequently submitted complete poetry portfolios assessed by prominent figures in Pakistan’s arts and literary scene.

Sandeep Paul, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore, commended the poets, stating, “I am truly impressed by these extraordinary and creative poets, who have articulated their views through their art. I hope they will motivate more young Pakistanis to share their stories in their distinctive voices.”

Michael Cirelli, founder of Urban Word, expressed gratitude for the collaborative nature of the program. “We value the strong partnership with the U.S. Embassy and consulates throughout Pakistan, as well as with Pakistani organizations, colleges, universities, poets, and leaders from every region,” said Cirelli. “We are thrilled to celebrate the next generation of poets and writers who will enrich Pakistan’s rich poetic heritage; their work is timely, visionary, and crucial now more than ever.”

Project Director Sara Zaidi echoed these thoughts, stating, “There is incredible talent in Pakistan, and this celebration of young poets highlights the next generation of torchbearers of both poetic tradition and innovation.”