UP and coming writers are being invited to submit poems, letters or prose about the Bloody Sunday victims to mark the 50th anniversary of the killings.
The Bloody Sunday Trust has invited members of the public to submit a piece of writing paying tribute to each of the victims.
The project is one of a number organised to commemorate the anniversary of the British army’s killing of 14 innocent anti-internment protesters in January 1972.
Project co-ordinator, Ciara O’Connor Pozo said the Trust, and the Museum of Free Derry, was keen to include writing – and audio submissions.
Ms O’Connor said anyone interested should submit an “expression of interest” by 5pm on Friday, October 29.
They will be allocated a Bloody Sunday victim’s story and given a fact sheet about one of the 14 victims.
“It is open to everyone and all levels of writing ability. There has already been interest from all over the world since we put out a call on social media and we’re already having expression of interest coming in.”
Any written pieces submitted should be no more than 400 words while a video or audio clip which can be transcribed should be no more than two minutes long. All submissions should be in the first person.
Ms O’Connor said examples could include a “poem, dramatic monologue or letter” giving thoughts on the life and legacy of an individual victim. Other examples could include a reflect on what Bloody Sunday meant for Derry 50 years on or for ongoing struggles for justice across the world.
“Given that many of the victims of Bloody Sunday were aged 17, young people aged 16-25 are especially welcome to submit a piece but all ages, backgrounds and abilities are welcome. No previous writing experience is necessary,” Ms O’Connor said.
The deadline for the final submission for the archive is November 26.
As all pieces will be accessible to the public, the Trust has urged they should be respectful. For further information contact ciara@bloodysundaytrust.org.
