Enter the Qilaut 2023 Inuktut Songwriting Contest

Press Release

16 November 2023

Are you an aspiring songwriter? Do you like writing and performing your songs in Inuktut?

The Department of Culture and Heritage is now accepting submissions for Qilaut 2023, Nunavut’s annual Inuktut songwriting contest. The year’s theme is ‘Naglingniq’.

Since its inception, Qilaut has continued to celebrate Nunavut’s vibrant Inuktut music scene and promote the use of Inuktut. Through this contest, Nunavummiut are contributing to the vibrancy, revitalization, and preservation of the Inuit culture and language. For eight years, Qilaut has inspired singers and songwriters across Nunavut to write over 80 original Inuktut songs.

Nunavummiut are invited to submit original Inuktut songs to have the opportunity to win cash prizes – first prize, $5,000, second prize, $2,500, and third prize, $1,500 and seven prizes of $500 for runners up. Winning submissions will be recorded professionally for a compilation album that will be distributed in 2024.

To view official contest rules, requirements for applications and to learn about this year’s theme, visit Qilaut 2023 | Government of Nunavut. To listen to previous years’ winners, visit Qilaut | Government of Nunavut.

All submissions can be sent to qilaut@gmail.com. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. EST on December 31, 2023.

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Media Contact:

Angela Michielsen
Director, Policy and Planning
Department of Culture and Heritage
867-975-5556
AMichielsen@gov.nu.ca

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