The hugely popular Filoli Haiku contest is now open for submissions!
Over 4,000 haiku have been written about Filoli’s gardens since the competition was launched in 2020. In addition to 1st and 2nd place, there is a special category for poets below 18. This year also marks the 2nd Annual Filoli Ecopoetry Award to encourage submissions that engage not only the beauty of nature but also the impacts of climate change. The competition is judged blind, and San Mateo County Poet Laureate Emerita Aileen Cassinetto will serve as judge for the fourth year in a row.
Deadline to submit is April 15th. In addition to top prizes, ten semi-finalists will have their poem printed and displayed throughout the garden during the month of May in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. For more info: https://filoli.org/haiku/
The Filoli Haiku Competition and Filoli Ecopoetry Award were launched in partnership with then San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto. Ms. Cassinetto is currently part of Filoli’s curatorial committee which works to present “Stories in Bloom” showcasing women’s storytelling of all forms. This year, Stories in Bloom featured legendary poet and storyteller Tureeda Mikell and celebrated 11-year-old vocalist Alliana Lili Yang. Stories in Bloom are free with Filoli admission, and will be back in May, along with the announcement of haiku prize winners.
Aileen Cassinetto 