Haiku Hike Literary Competition Now Open
Haiku Hike Literary Competition Now Open
This year’s theme is Belonging
DOWNTOWN TUCSON, AZ, January 14, 2025 – Calling all creatives, writers, and aspiring poets from the Old Pueblo and beyond! The Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP) together with the University of Arizona Poetry Center are proud to announce the 6th annual Haiku Hike literary competition.
This year’s theme is Belonging. Poets are encouraged to submit haiku reflecting this theme.
“This year’s theme of belonging feels as important as ever. What connects us to our community and each other, cutting through our differences and binding us to where we live? Belonging isn’t finite; we can create more of it, and poetry is a terrific tool. Join us in this year’s contest and enjoy the winners displayed downtown. Together, we can create the conditions for more belonging in Tucson,” said Tyler Meier, Executive Director of the University of Arizona Poetry Center.
Haiku entries will be judged by Tucson’s Poet Laureate, TC Tolbert. Twenty winning haiku poems will be printed on acrylic signage and displayed in planters located on Congress Street and Stone Avenue in Downtown Tucson. All winners will receive public recognition and have their work featured on public signage downtown, online and in the media. These signs will provide visual and cultural interest during the season, beginning on the first day of spring, Thursday, March 20.
“As we embrace another year of the Haiku Hike, these poems invite us to pause, immerse ourselves in our surroundings, and foster a deeper connection with the community around us,” said Crystal Moore, President & CEO of the Downtown Tucson Partnership.
A haiku is a Japanese poem of seventeen syllables in three lines of five, seven and five. Haiku depicts a concise sentiment with rich imagery revolving around seasonal topics. Learn more about haiku here.
Interested poets may enter at downtowntucson.org/haikuhike and submissions will be accepted until the end of the day on February 3. Winners will be announced on DTP’s website, social media and via email to the selected winners.
While the Haiku Hike is self-guided and on display throughout the spring, on Saturday, March 22, at 9 a.m., join TC Tolbert, the University of Arizona Poetry Center, and the Downtown Tucson Partnership for a community stroll along the Haiku Hike. Details about the meeting location will be announced soon. Be sure to check DTP’s website at downtowntucson.org or follow @DowntownTucson on social media for updates. All winners will be invited to attend, and the first 50 attendees will receive a free Downtown Tucson tote bag.
Last year’s theme was Serenity. 2,069 haiku were submitted from 27 countries, 29 states and 1,385 coming from Tucson.
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More information about the Downtown Tucson Partnership can be found online at downtowntucson.org.
DTP Media Contact: Jenny Knight, Marketing Specialist
520.268.9032, jenny@downtowntucson.org