
Double Bill: Activism, Poetry and James Baldwin
2024 marks writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin’s 100th birthday, and the occasion has been marked by celebratory events across the country. But one facet of Baldwin’s work has been overlooked: his poetry.
Poets Kadija Sesay and Neo Gilson come together to share their poetry and discuss how they have used the art form as a tool of activism. Neo’s work has appeared as part of Window to my World: Poetry, Resistance and Justice, while Kadija has recently edited the new literary anthology, Encounters with James Baldwin, which digs deep into the legacy of the writer who spoke truth to power.
Chaired through the ConVERSE Emerging Chairs Programme with Edinburgh University.
Event Sponsors:
Similar Events You May Enjoy...
Imtiaz Dharker: Shadow Reader
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Imtiaz Dharker has long been an internationally acclaimed poet. Her 2023 collection, Shadow Reader, is a radiant criss-cross of encounters, messages and Punjabi proverbs, shot through with the dark thread of unwelcome prophecy.
Hosted by Harriet MacMillan, Imtiaz will speak about the collection and show projections of the illustrations within.
Get TicketsTakeover: St Mungo’s Mirrorball
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
St Mungo’s Mirrorball is Scotland’s leading community of poetry writers, listeners, and readers. At this takeover event, their lightning dance of poetry reaches new heights with performers Christie Williamson, Vicki Husband, Eloise Birthwhistle, Gillian Dawson and Lynnda Wardle, hosted by Scottish poetry legend, Jim Carruth.
Get TicketsSCOREScotland Disrupts the Narrative – with Tinderbox Collective and Bee
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Disrupting the Narrative explores Edinburgh’s heritage from the perspective of its colonial past. In partnership with the Tinderbox Collective and Bee Asha, SCOREScotland’s young people have created a vibrant spoken word and music performance that considers what it’s like to grow up as a young person of colour in Edinburgh today.
Get Tickets