Photography by Adam Docker.
SATURDAY 12 APRIL 2025 | 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM Come and join us for an unforgettable celebration of art, poetry, music, and more, as we honour the life and legacy of the late Benjamin Zephaniah — a true icon of the arts and activism.
This vibrant festival coincides with his birthday weekend, marking the Inaugural Benjamin Zephaniah Day, and we’ve got an incredible line-up of events planned for you!
Stage Takeovers by Black Writers Guild, WritersMosaic & Apples and Snakes
Speakers’ Corner – Share your own talents with the crowd
Creative Workshops for adults and children, Exhibitions, and Film Screenings
Global Performances from poets, musicians, and artists Contributions from the Fellows of the Royal Society of Literature
A performance from Fire Choir
Tai Chi Demonstration by Clive Spring - Black Dragon School of Martial Arts
Vegan Food Stalls available throughout the day!
This is Book Love will be selling in attendance with publications from the performers on sale as well as two new Benjamin Zephaniah publications
Abiọ́dún Abdul is an award-winning Yorùbá-Nigerian poet, writer, activist, lecturer and doctoral researcher. Her work champions social justice and celebrates our common humanity.
Sandra A. Agard is a professional storyteller, author, poet, playwright, literature consultant and cultural historian.
Callum is extremely passionate about autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people. His own journey has been very difficult, but he has had poetry and spoken word as his saviour.
Siana Bangura (pronounced ‘see-anna’) is a multi-award winning playwright, writer, producer, and creative practitioner proudly hailing from South East London, currently living, working and creating between London and the West Midlands.
Julianne is a Filipino writer, spoken word artist and musician from London. She uses instrumentals and poetry to further explore her own in her work.
Kadija George Sesay is a literary activist and founder of the ‘International Black Speculative Writing Festival’, and the ‘AfriPoeTree’ app.
Annette Pateman grew up in the UK. Her poetry centres Black identity. Annette completed an MA Creative Writing in 2024. Her poetry and writing can be found on Amazon.
Yvonne Howard is a Yorkshire-Gambian writer. As a child, she sought refuge from the experience of racism, poverty, and marginalisation in reading and writing poetry about nature.
Jayce is a 6-year-old highly gifted and talented British author who began showcasing his literary skills at a very young age. He promotes diversity and inclusion in storytelling.
Nomadic Libaax, which translate to Wondering Lion is a British Somali Rhythmic Assisted Poet, who uses the mediums of rhythm & rhyme to create cinematic experiences.
Scottish born poet David McDonald lives in South London. He passionately believes in the power of spoken work as a tool for social change and liberation.
Sana is a British Iranian poet, translator and art historian based in London. Her writing includes a novel, short stories, and poetry collections Departure and O Delilah.
Laurie born to Caribbean expats and was raised in High Wycombe by her West Indian village. She has been writing poetry for over thirty years, with self-reflection as a recurring theme.
Derek is an award-winning writer and poet from North London. His first novel, That Reminds Me, was the first work of fiction to be published by Stormzy’s Merky Books imprint.
Nii Ayikwei Parkes is a renowned writer, winner of international awards and a laureate of Ghana's national ACRAG award, and a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Nicole‘s work shines a light on life’s triumphs & struggles, inviting you to embrace authenticity & find strength in faith.
Busayo Twins is a political commentator and content creator specialising in providing critical analysis of key political and social phenomena by examining their systemic causes, intersectional impacts, and broader implications.
Mbeke Waseme is the author of two anthologies. She has been writing since primary school and typed her first book that was stapled together. For her, writing is like air. She must do it.
During the evening, we will be hosting a very special event to raise awareness and funds for the Benjamin Zephaniah Foundation. Executive produced by Bob Clarke (Life & Rhymes, Sky Arts), the showcase will run from 7.30pm to 9pm and spotlight the extraordinary love, advocacy and creative talent that surrounded Benjamin, with tributes from renowned writers, artists, thinkers, musical guests, and some of the many voices that he inspired.
Special guests already confirmed include Adjoah Andoh, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Hannah Lowe, Jonathan Ross, Michael Rosen, Lemn Sissay, with more to be announced. TIckets will be on sale soon.
Our official event page
Professor Benjamin Zephaniah, Brunel Professor of Creative Writing
For more information about Benjamin and his legacy
To be announced
Sign up to our newsletter