Pacific Ridge School sophomore Khalid Abudawas was awarded the “Sargio Penco” award from the International Poetry Competition Castello di Duino. His poem, entitled “Palestinian Fears,” was the only American entry to receive an award, and was selected from nearly 1,000 applicants worldwide.
Abudawas traveled with a friend to Trieste, Italy, to attend the award ceremony, which took place in Duino Castle in late March. The “Sargio Penco” Plate that Abudawas received is named in honor of a prominent Italian poet and friend of the organization, and is awarded to the best poet under the age of 16.
Khalid’s poem will be published by Ibiskos Risolo Publishing House along with other awarded and honorable mention poems. Profits from the book go to the Foundation Luchetta-Ota-D’Angelo-Hrovatin, committed to providing care for child victims of war.
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The annual poetry competition is organized under Italy’s United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization committee, and is part of a larger project known as “Poetry and Solidarity, Language of Peoples” which includes a world youth forum, and a poetry and literature festival, among other events.