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We have put together this collection of events taking place in remembrance and honour of the late great Dr Benjamin Zephaniah.
These events take place in Birmingham and London.
“The Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group (BZFLG) was founded by Benjamin’s siblings in January 2024. Broadly speaking the BZFLG plans to help keep Benjamin’s name alive, and to make sure communities are aware of the initiatives we co-produce or support in order to build on and maintain Benjamin’s rich and enduring legacy.”
Brixton Poets Celebrate Benjamin Zephaniah
Takes Place – 3 October 2024 (London)
Benjamin Zephaniah started writing poetry at a young age, adding many more skills to his sharp wit and love of words until we lost him to a brain tumour in December 2023. Born in Birmingham in 1958, his journey took him to Brixton, prior to making Newham his home.
Together with local schools and poets, and some of his friends, the Friends of Brixton Library and the Local Heroes Initiative invite the Brixton Community to celebrate Benjamin Zephaniah on National Poetry Day.
See full booking details here >
Urban Sermon: A Tribute to Benjamin Zephaniah
Takes Place – 7 October 2024 (Birmingham)
From 2010 to 2014, the Birmingham Literature Festival hosted an annual event in the Birmingham Cathedral called the Urban Sermon. These events invited celebrated authors to talk about some of the pressing issues of our time. In 2013, Benjamin Zephaniah delivered the Urban Sermon, using his work as a platform to talk about multiculturalism as it related to his hometown of Birmingham.
In tribute to Benjamin’s memory, and to commemorate our 25th anniversary year, we are reinstating the Urban Sermon at the Cathedral, to be delivered by Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey (2020-2022).
The event will honour Benjamin’s legacy and impact on the creative life of the city, and celebrate the generations of Birmingham poets building on the foundations Benjamin laid.
All enquiries via : www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org
IRIE-ISH : A tribute and memorial to Benjamin Zephaniah
Takes Place – 12 October 2024 (Birmingham)
This event is being organised in association with the Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group, Melika Queely (local classical artist), The National Mikey Powell Memorial Family Fund and Birmingham Irish Association.
All the performers will be young people from Birmingham who want to show their appreciation of Dr Benjamin Zephaniah through music and dance. There will be Auction Raffle of unique hand-made Zephaniah canvas murals to raise funds for the Acorns Children’s Hospice appeal.
See full booking details here >
The Power of Words – Remembering Benjamin Zephaniah
Takes Place – 25 October & 1 November 2024 (London)
Through spoken word, poetry and a photo exhibition, attendees will engage with and honour Benjamin Zephaniah’s body of work. Young people and adults will be brought together in one creative space to discuss challenges today and showcase their own creative talents.
Refreshments will be provided, all food will be vegan.
Produced by Rights and Equalities in Newham.
See full booking details here >
A Celebration of the Life & Works of Benjamin Zephaniah
Takes Place – 28 October 2024 (London)
Inspired by the late, Benjamin Zephaniah, Akuba (aka ‘Grace Quansah) will be hosting a creative workshop for young people from ages 9 to 15 to take part in a creative expressions workshop to produce writing, artwork, drama and music which will culminate in a showcase performance.
Workshop:12-2pm; Showcase with Refreshments 2-3.30pm
Parents & Guardians welcome to support!
Bookings essential as spaces are limited.
See full booking details here >
