Hungarian-born British poet George Szirtes has been awarded the prestigious King’s Gold Medal for Poetry by His Majesty King Charles III. The honour, established in 1933 by King George V on the recommendation of poet laureate John Masefield, recognizes exceptional poetic contributions over several years. The award is presented annually to a poet from the United Kingdom or the Commonwealth.
Szirtes, who arrived in the UK as a refugee in 1956 at the age of eight, has become a leading figure in British literature. His works often engage with contemporary issues and reflect on global events.
Reflecting on his award, Szirtes said: ‘I couldn’t believe it when Simon Armitage shared the news. When my family arrived here as refugees in 1956, only my father spoke English.’ Szirtes also expressed his astonishment: ‘Chronologically, English was my second language, but it quickly became my first in daily life. This award surpasses all expectations, given my lack of background, formal education, or any expectations at all.’
‘Szirtes in the UK as a refugee in 1956 at the age of eight’
Simon Armitage lauded Szirtes’ work, highlighting its unique blend of meticulous observation and social critique. ‘His poetry has illuminated the values and behaviours of society, exploring how individuals and regimes interact under fluctuating political ideologies,’ Armitage remarked.
Szirtes reflected on the complexities of his identity, describing himself as both an English poet and an ‘Anglophile Hungarian guest’. ‘I have grown used to thinking of myself as a twofold being: an English poet who is regarded (possibly justly) as a welcome Anglophile Hungarian guest’ he noted, adding that while the medal carries no monetary reward, the chance to meet King Charles III is a profound honour.
George Szirtes has a prolific career, with many works translated into Hungarian. His most recent volume, Előhívás – Anyám regénye (The Photographer at Sixteen), delves into his mother’s life story, further cementing his legacy as a poet of deep emotional and historical resonance.
This recognition places Szirtes among an esteemed lineage of poets who have shaped literary and cultural discourse across the Commonwealth.
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