The best of Black Writers’ Festival

Something for the weekend.

An impressive array of international writing talent comes to the Bristol and Bath area this month in a festival which celebrates literature from around the world.

A dozen of the best writers and performance poets from across the African Diaspora will be taking part in the Yardstick Festival in Bristol and Bath libraries from 27th – 30th June.

Prestigious authors at the festival will include Jamaicans Lorna Goodison, Tanya Shirley and Geoffrey Philp, Lemn Sissay (British Ethiopian), Warsan Shire (Somali), Mukoma Wa Ngugi (Kenyan), Nick Makoha (Ugandan), Leeto Thale (South African) and Jamala Safari (Congolese). Also taking part will be Emman Egya Sule (Nigerian), Nii Ayikwei Parkes (Ghana), Dean Atta (British Jamaican) and Chioma Okereke (Nigerian)

Yardstick have organised the festival to celebrate the history of the people of the African Diaspora, a people whose traditions have survived the trauma of imperialism and colonialism through the rich tapestry of nations forging their own identity and confidence through literature and storytelling.

Lorna Goodison, Jamaica 50 Cultural Medal of Honour recipient and festival patron, will headline the opening event at Bath Central Library on Thursday, June 27.

The festival will also include a series of thought-provoking panel discussions which will include a debate about Rural v Urban along with a series of writing workshops to encourage new talent.

One of the venue’s taking part in the festival is Bath’s Fairfield House; the place whereHaile Selassie lived during his exile from Ethiopia, and which is now used as a community centre by Bath’s minority ethnic groups.

Councillor David Dixon, from Bath said:

For the second year running, Bath & North East Somerset Council is proud to welcome inspirational writers and enthusiastic audiences to Bath Central Library for the Yardstick Festival."

Co-hosting the events with Bath is Bristol and Councillor Gus Hoyt, Assistant Mayor for Bristol said:

This is a thrilling line-up of talent and a brilliant opportunity to celebrate and explore the work of authors, poets and performers from across the African diaspora.”

Stories connect communities and cultures and remind us of the universal themes of our common humanity. The festival is a great opportunity to engage with other writers across the African Diaspora in an inspiring programme of events.

For details about events and to book tickets, visit: http://www.yardstick.org.uk/tickets/

Francine Fernandes

Picture  Yardstick Festival gets backing from Bristol Lord Mayor Faruk Choudhury and Bristol councillor Hibaq Jama