Benjamin Zephaniah Day

 

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Saturday 12 April

Benjamin Zephaniah Day

Photography by Adam Docker.

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Benjamin Zephaniah Day: A Festival of Rhythm, Unity and Revolution

 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!   

 

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Benjamin

Festival Highlights Include:  

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 

Performers

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Sandra Agard

Sandra Agard

Sandra A. Agard is a professional storyteller, author, poet, playwright, literature consultant and cultural historian.

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Callum Brazzo

Callum Brazzo

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.

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Julianne Gazzingan

Julianne Gazzingan

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 384

Kadija George Sesay

Kadija George Sesay

Kadija George Sesay is a literary activist and founder of the ‘International Black Speculative Writing Festival’, and the ‘AfriPoeTree’ app.

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Charnjit Gill

Charnjit Gill

Charnjit’s work has been published in 12 poetry journals. She was one of winners of the Art Fund Prize 2023 where her poem ‘Triggered’ was displayed on billboards throughout the UK.

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Jayce Joyce

Jayce Joyce

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.

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Nomadic Libaax

Nomadic Libaax

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.

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David McDonald

David McDonald

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.

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Sana Nassari

Sana Nassari

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.

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Laurie OGarro

Laurie OGarro

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.

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Derek Owusu

Derek Owusu

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.

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Nii Ayikwei Parkes

Nii Ayikwei Parkes

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.

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Nicole Reid

Nicole Reid

Nicole‘s work shines a light on life’s triumphs & struggles, inviting you to embrace authenticity & find strength in faith.

 

     

Highlights include...

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Adjoah Andoh

Linton Kwesi Johnson 700

Linton Kwesi Johnson

Hannah Lowe 700

Hannah Lowe

Daljit Nagra 700

Daljit Nagra

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Community Spotlights

Michael Rosen 700

Michael Rosen

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Lemn Sissay

When Benjamin was asked what he wanted his legacy to be, he said simply, "love". 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. We invite everyone who, like Benjamin, believes that love is one of the greatest gifts we can offer to one another. It will be an annual event dedicated to continuing the celebration of Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah and the legacy of his work and love.


Qian Zephaniah

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BenjaminZephaniah.com

For more information about Benjamin and his legacy

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Benjamin Zephaniah Foundation

To be announced

Contact us

Organising an activity that celebrates the legacy of Benjamin Zephaniah? Get in touch
We're eager to champion the many activities taking place, from classroom to community workshops and beyond.