Competition

LAKAY is proud to announce the launch of the 4th edition of the literary competition "My Pen Against Racism and Racial Profiling"«, an annual event that gives young people a voice to express their vision of a fairer and more inclusive world.

This year, the competition will take place under the theme:
«"Our voices in the face of silence"»
A call to all high school students in the greater Montreal and Lanaudière region to break indifference, to name injustices and to imagine solutions through the power of words.

Important Dates

• Deadline for submitting texts: February 6, 2026

• Awards ceremony: Saturday, March 28, 2026

Conditions of participation

• The competition is exclusively for high school students from the greater Montreal and Lanaudière region

• The students of 1st cycle compete with each other, as do those of the 2nd cycle in order to ensure fairness.

• Each participant can submit a single text, unprecedented and original.

• Accepted genres: poem, slam, short story, argumentative text or creative narrative.

• The text must comply with the following standards:

  • Maximum 2 pages

  • Word format (.doc or .docx), 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing

  • The text must bear a title

  • At the end of the document, write the following:
    «"Certified original, personal and unpublished work"»

Evaluation criteria

The texts will be judged by a jury composed of teachers, artists, and representatives of community organizations according to:

• Adherence to the theme,

• Creativity and originality,

• The quality of the language,

• The impact and strength of the message.

Prizes to be won

Six prizes will be awarded:

• 1st cycle 1st prize: 500 $ – 2nd prize: 250 $

• 2nd cycle 1st prize: 500 $ – 2nd prize: 250 $

• People's Choice Award across all categories : 500 $

• Award for best English-language text : 500 $

Why participate?

Because every word counts. Because writing is refusing silence. This competition is an invitation to participate in the dialogue, to defend equality, and to contribute to a society where diversity is celebrated.

Make your voice heard.

Submit your text before February 6, 2026 and join us on March 28, 2026 to celebrate the winners!