Image Credit: Adam Docker

WritersMosaic is proud to be part of the first Benjamin Zephaniah Day, a day festival taking place on Saturday 12 April to celebrate the life and legacy of the much-loved poet, hosted by Brunel University and Qian Zephaniah. Performing at the festival’s Liberation Stage, WritersMosaic will showcase the work of three UK global majority poets, providing a platform to amplify and celebrate Benjamin’s legacy through the poetry in the UK from global majority voices.

Sana Nassari will lead a poetry workshop focused on speaking across languages and cultures to include readers and listeners in a shared love of poetry as a medium for speaking truth.

Ghanaian poet, novelist and publisher Nii Ayikwei Parkes, the Iranian poet and critic Sana Nassari and the British Jamaican poet Raymond Antrobus will each read in turn. Reflecting Benjamin’s internationalism and cross-cultural skills, the poets will speak to his enduring legacy of listening and inclusion. The three performances will be followed by a Q&A. 

Taking place across Zephaniah’s birthday weekend, marking what would have been his 67th birthday, the free family-friendly event will bring a festival feel to Brunel’s campus, where Zephaniah worked as a professor, with food, live music, and spoken word and poetry from talented artists.

Qian Zephaniah, Benjamin Zephaniah’s wife, will officially open the day in Brunel’s newly named Benjamin Zephaniah Square at 11am. From 11am to 6:30pm, Brunel will be brimming with fun-filled, creative activities that reflect Zephaniah’s diverse legacy.

The poet’s upcoming selection of poems and lyrics, Dis Poetry, will be available to purchase ahead of its publication date at the event, as well as Zephaniah’s new picture poem book, Leave the Trees, Please.

This is the first of what will be an annual event dedicated to celebrating Zephaniah, paying tribute to the poet, professor, musician, writer, activist, and actor, and the legacy of love that he has left behind.

Qian Zephaniah says:

“when Benjamin was asked what he wanted his legacy to be, he simply said, ‘love’, and Benjamin Zephaniah Day is one of the ways we honour that legacy. It will be a day that shows what was close to Benjamin’s heart, and people who loved him will be there to show that, too.”

For more details visit brunel.ac.uk/Zephaniah