The Asian Prizes has unveiled the long list for the inaugural Asian Prize for Poetry 2025, featuring ten works from nine countries that explore the theme “The Earth” with striking diversity and depth.

The selected works represent voices from across the globe, spanning Ukraine, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Botswana, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines. This geographic breadth reflects the prize’s commitment to creating a truly international platform for poetic expression.

The following ten works have been selected for the long list:

1. Natural Disaster by Musakovska Julia (Ukraine)
2. The Roots of My Feet by Danny I. Yatim (Indonesia)
3. Where It Began by Himangi Jayasundere (Sri Lanka)
4. The Infinity Circle by Akuratiya Vithanage Alian Vidujith (Sri Lanka)
5. The Earth Will Won’t Wait by Moekejo Seipone (Botswana)
6. The River of Thoughts by Doan Nguyen Anh Minh (Vietnam)
7. Language of Nature by Hema Ravi (India)
8. Howl by Rex Tan Chwan Shiuh (Malaysia)
9. Earth My Precious Home by Sukolukhulu Dube (Botswana)
10. Trees as Verses of the Earth by Carlo Guinita (Philippines)

The jury, chaired by Ukrainian poet Iryna Vikyrchak, brings together literary voices from four continents. The panel includes Louise Bertana from the Philippines, Heather Bourbeau from the United States, Shirani Rajapakse from Sri Lanka, Dr Lame Pusetso from Botswana, Scholastica Moraa from Kenya, ensuring representation from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

The selected works represent diverse poetic voices responding to this year’s theme “The Earth,” with each poet bringing their unique cultural perspective and literary approach to the subject.

This inaugural edition marks a significant milestone for The Asian Group of Literature’s expanding recognition programme. The Asian Prize for Poetry joins the established Asian Prizes umbrella, which has operated since 2022 and includes awards for literature, fiction, short story, natural sciences, and social sciences.

The Asian Prize for Poetry functions as a non-monetary recognition that aims to amplify diverse poetic voices and foster international literary dialogue. And The judging process emphasises both literary merit and thematic relevance, with submissions evaluated on their artistic achievement and their engagement with the annual theme.

The long list will be included in the online edition of The Asian Review as well as The Asian Journal of Literature’s printed edition 2025, alongside the short story prize’s long list. The shortlist will be announced on 15th October 2025 and the winner will be revealed on 15th December 2025, concluding the inaugural edition of this international poetry prize.

Emanuelle Cohen