NYC Hosts Annual #PoetweetNYC Twitter Poetry Contest, Thru 4/21

In honor of National Poetry Month, the City of New York (@NYCGov & @NYCulture) will host the annual "PoetweetNYC" Twitter poetry contest. From April 17 through 21, 2017, eligible poems sent using the hashtag #PoetweetNYC will be considered for the grand prize: publication in Metro New York on April 27, Poem in Your Pocket Day. Entries will be judged by an expert panel led by First Lady Chirlane McCray. This year, the contest coincides with Immigrant Heritage Week, so participants are encouraged to submit poetweets that celebrate our city's rich immigrant heritage. Visit nyc.gov/poem for official rules and eligibility.

This year, a panel of judges will select the winning poetweets, including:

· Chirlane McCray, First Lady of New York City

· Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner, NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs

· Tom Finkelpearl, Commissioner, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

· Jennifer Benka, Executive Director of the Academy of American Poets

· Alice Quinn, Executive Director of the Poetry Society of America

Poem in Your Pocket Day is a citywide celebration to encourage all New Yorkers to appreciate poetry and highlight the importance of literacy. Throughout the month of April, literary organizations will host poetry events across the five boroughs, and on April 27, all New Yorkers will be encouraged to carry a poem in their pocket to share with friends, family and colleagues. Partners for Poem in Your Pocket day include the Academy of American Poets, the Bryant Park Corporation, Metro New York, and the Poetry Society of America. Visit nyc.gov/poem for more information, follow @NYCulture on Twitter, and "like" the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Facebook page for regular updates and highlights.

· To celebrate National Poetry Month and NYC's Poem in Your Pocket Day

· The basic rules: keep it clean, and keep it to one tweet

· Use the hashtag #PoetweetNYC

· Winners published on City social media and on Metro New York website on Poem in Your Pocket Day, April 21.

WHEN: Monday, April 17 - Friday, April 21, 2017

WHERE: NYCGov Twitter (www.twitter.com/nycgov)

NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Twitter (www.twitter.com/nyculture)

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