Legendary Reggae poet Linton Kwesi Johnson will perform his work and discuss his life's commitment to poetry live at the Nuffield Theatre, Lancaster University, on Thursday 20 April.
In partnership with Lancaster Litfest, Lancaster Arts welcomes Kwesi Johnson to the venue at Lancaster University, just one week after the release of his new book, Time Come.
His latest work collects some of his most powerful non-fiction writing, that arises from a lifetime's contribution to the struggle for racial equality and social justice, and pays tribute to the activists and writers who inspired him.
Kwesi Johnson will be joined in conversation by author, Jacqueline Crooks for what will be an unforgettable evening of poetry, prose and discussion about his life and work.
Crooks is a Jamaican-born writer who writes about Caribbean migration and sub-cultures; her first novel, Fire Rush, was released in March and has been long listed for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023.
Crooks will be moderating this evening to help uncover the sources and inspiration of Kwesi Johnson's work.
Since 1975 when the young Linton Kwesi Johnson burst onto the scene with his collection of poems, Dread Beat an' Blood, he has transformed English poetry with his electrifying fusion of spoken word poetry, Jamaican patois, radical politics and reggae rhythms.
Speaking ahead of the performance, Lancaster Arts Director Jocelyn Cunningham said: "Linton Kwesi Johnson is known the world over for his incredible poetry and his work has huge cultural significance. It is a real privilege to be able to welcome him to Lancaster Arts, so soon after the release of his new work, and for local audiences, especially younger ones to hear about his life and work and get the chance to meet him."
Lancaster Litfest's Bill Swainson said: "Linton Kwesi Johnson, who brought a new voice to British poetry in the 1970s, was first heard at Lancaster Litfest in 1983. Now we have the chance to hear him read from that hugely influential work and talk about the writers, poetry and ideas that have inspired his lifelong commitment to making art and campaigning for social justice."
Both Kwesi Johnson and Crooks will be signing copies of their new books for audiences after the show.
For those unable to make the live performance of the show, the entire evening will be live streamed on the Lancaster Litfest website www.litfest.org.
Linton Kwesi Johnson in conversation with Jacqueline Crooks will be at the Nuffield Theatre at Lancaster University on Thursday 20 April, 6pm. Tickets are available to book directly from the Lancaster Arts website www.lancasterarts.org or by calling the box office on 01524 594151.
