What's the Role of Poetry and Art in Radical Change? Panel Discussion

How do we reconnect to our city’s history in a post-Colston statue, post-pandemic society?

Panellists writer and historian Edson Burton, poet and activist Lawrence Hoo, and DJ, singer and presenter Ngaio Anyia will discuss the power of poetry and art in radical change and connecting people. The discussion will explore the history of radical arts in Bristol, protest and dissent and how these movements have contributed to the lifeblood of the city today.

This event will be BSL interpreted and include captions.

Edson Burton is a writer, academic and compere. His academic specialisms include: Black Religiosity, Bristol and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Black History in the USA, Cultural Continuities between Africa and the New World, Race and Representation. He has been a consultant and coordinator for a range of history projects in Bristol including a study of Bristol’s Old Market ward, Vice and Virtue (2014) and Black South West Network’s Race Through the Generations. He has maintained a parallel career as a poet (Seasoned, 2008) and writer for theatre, radio and screen.

Photo credit: Claudio Alhers

Ngaio Anyia is a musician, spoken word artist, journalist and DJ whose passion for inclusion and diversity has led her on a journey of discovery and identity documented through her various art forms;  bringing together a range of cultural influences through creativity and discussion.

Lawrence Hoo is a poet and educator based in Bristol. His work is known for throwing a powerful light onto the overlooked experiences of those living in Bristol’s under-supported communities. Through his own company Inner City Tales, he has published three poetry collections: Inner City Tales (2006), Hoostory (2011), CARGO (2019), and exhibited across Bristol including at Centrespace Gallery, Wilder Street Art Gallery, and The Station. In 2016 he was invited to be Ujima radio’s poet in residence and in 2018 he was awarded a MTM Award for services to Music, Arts and Culture and a RISE Award for services to Community, Arts and Entertainment. He is currently a member of the University of Bristol’s Diversity Advisory Board. As a public speaker he urges for social justice in Bristol and agitates for positive change.

Democracy and Freedom of Expression

This event is part of our 2021 series on democracy and freedom of expression. We’re committed to looking at solutions to the great challenges that face us – what individuals, leaders, mayors, councils, governments, cities, communities, nations and others can do to support, strengthen and extend democracy and freedom of expression.

The series includes: programmes on the future of democracy, May elections, the monarchy, constitutions, English devolution, House of Lords reform, votes at 16; work exploring freedom of expression through the year; and a focus on democracy and cities in Festival of the Future City (20-21 October).

Our project partners include English PEN, Prospect Magazine, the Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath and the Observer. More events will be launched soon. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #FOIDemocracy and #CommonCurrency

Booking Information

This event has been organised as part of Lyra 2021, a festival which promotes local, national and international excellence, representing Bristol as a centre of world class poetry and booking artists from across the UK and world. This is an online event on Crowdcast. Please note that Crowdcast works best in Chrome.

Booking a ticket for our Crowdcast event
Tickets are booked through Lyra’s website. A booking confirmation email will provide you with the link and password for this event. Click the link to go to Crowdcast to register. You will be prompted to enter your email address or social media login (Facebook, Twitter or Google). An email will be sent to confirm your registration, along with the option to add the event to your calendar.

Joining our Crowdcast event
Once you register you will have instant access to the event’s Crowdcast page, including the polls, chat, and Q&A. To return to the event page at any time, simply click the link in your confirmation or reminder email. The event will start automatically on its event page at the time advertised, and all you have to do is sit back and relax.