Benjamin Zephaniah (15 April 1958 – 7 December 2023) writer, dub poet, actor, musician and professor of poetry and creative writing, will be celebrated and remembered at the upcoming Benjamin Zephaniah Day on Saturday 12th April at Brunel University of London. Hosted by both the university and his wife Qian Zephaniah, the free, family-friendly event will be bringing festival vibes with food, live music, spoken word and poetry from an incredible line-up of artists including Linton Kwesi Johnson and Michael Rosen.
Benjamin’s upcoming selection of poems and lyrics, Dis Poetry, will be available to purchase at the event ahead of its publication date on 15 April, Benjamin’s birthday, as well as his new picture poem book for children, Leave the Trees, Please.
Born on 15 April 1958 in Handsworth, Birmingham to Barbadian and Jamaican parents, this year would have been Benjamin’s 67th birthday. Benjamin made it his mission to ‘fight the dead image of poetry in academia and take it everywhere to people who do not read books’. He turned poetry readings into concert like performances. His talent, popularity and success led to him being named as one of Britain’s top 50 post-war writers in 2008 by The Times. His work draws upon his lived experiences of prison, racism and his Caribbean heritage, as well as his love for animals and nature. Zephaniah’s 1982 album, Rasta, featured The Wailers performing for the first time following the death of Bob Marley and he is also renowned for his role in the hugely popular BBC TV series, Peaky Blinders.
Qian Zephaniah will officially open the day in Brunel’s newly named Benjamin Zephaniah Square at 11am, and she warmly invites everyone to attend the inaugural celebratory event.
“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,” said Qian. “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.
“It will be an annual event dedicated to continuing the celebration of Benjamin and the legacy of his work and love, and we invite everyone who, like Benjamin, believes that love is one of the greatest gifts we can offer one another.”
From 11am to 6:30pm, Brunel will be brimming with fun-filled, creative activities that reflect Benjamin’s diverse legacy. Visitors can enjoy poetry workshops and creative writing master classes led by leading poets, translators and emerging artists, as well as community-focused sessions funded by Arts Council England. Like Brunel, the government-funded agency is committed to sustaining Benjamin’s legacy, and Benjamin Zephaniah Day marks the start of their upcoming programme of workshops with local community groups and libraries to help disenfranchised communities discover the power of creativity.
Alongside the workshops, guests will be kept entertained by music, vegan street food, outdoor games and performances. Speakers’ Corner will give emerging voices a platform to share their talents, and there will be stage takeovers from members of the Black Writers’ Guild and Writers Mosaic, as well as spoken word and performance poetry from Apples and Snakes – England’s leading spoken word organisation.
Benjamin Zephaniah is at the heart of this joyous day, and his talent and impact will be celebrated at Brunel, where he will always be remembered as a much-loved professor, friend, colleague and member of the community.
“Benjamin Zephaniah enriched the lives of our staff and students, and his impact on Brunel, the wider community and humanity is immeasurable,” said Prof Andrew Jones, Brunel’s Vice-Chancellor and President.
“Last September, it was a privilege to have Qian Zephaniah on campus to open the newly named Benjamin Zephaniah Square in her husband’s honour, and I am thrilled to welcome her back to Brunel for the inaugural Benjamin Zephaniah Day. The special day will celebrate Benjamin’s extraordinary contributions, not only to literature and education but also to the causes he championed throughout his life. We hope that all will attend this celebratory day in the spirit of Professor Benjamin Zephaniah.”
Benjamin Zephaniah Day takes place on Saturday 12th April from 11am and is free and open to everyone. You can book spaces and find out more by visiting Benjamin Zephaniah Day | Brunel University of London
Maria Georgiou
Post comments (0)