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“The healing power of words should be accessible to everyone”

Hannah-Azieb Pool, artistic director and CEO of Bernie Grant Arts Centre, introduces the fourth annual Tottenham Literature Festival
By Hannah Azieb-Pool

The book market at TLF 2021. Credit Nina Robinson
The book market at TLF 2021. Credit Nina Robinson

One of my favourite quotes by the iconic African-American writer Audre Lorde speaks to the ‘invisible’ power poetry has in our lives. “Poetry is not only a dream and vision; it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before,” writes Lorde in her essay Poetry Is Not a Luxury (1985).

I returned to these words many times when planning this year’s Tottenham Literature Festival (TLF). Lorde brings to life the notion that when all around seems to be disintegrating, turning to poetry as a foundation, and I’d argue writing more broadly, is a place where we can meet each other, heal and affect real change. The healing power of words should also be accessible to everyone. The theme of this year’s TLF, which is taking place from the 14–20th November at Bernie Grant Arts Centre (BGAC), is ‘healing stories’.

In our busy, stressed, screen-obsessed lives, I sometimes wonder about all the poems and words we let slip through our fingers. TLF came out of a desire to create a space where Black authors, readers and lovers of words could gather to build our bridges together brick by brick, word by word, poem by poem.

The festival is in direct response to a frustration with other literature spaces, where Black authors are often sidelined or invited only to speak about the trauma of racism, or in relation to ‘not being a white writer’. TLF is a space for people of all backgrounds to collectively enjoy the power of Black storytelling, to feast on words in their most accessible forms, via live performances, readings, interviews and workshops. And to celebrate the multiplicities of the Black experience, right in the heart of Tottenham, one of the UK’s most diverse and creative areas.

At the core of this year’s TLF is an ambition to be as accessible as possible. Whether it’s ensuring there is a free programme, working with local schools or creating a flexible ‘pay what you can’ ticket starting at just £3.

But access isn’t just about who gets to enjoy the work; it’s also about who gets to make it. From the start TLF offered British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation; this year we have also partnered with the UK’s leading deaf-led film and arts festival, Deaffest, platforming Black deaf artists.

We’ve also increased opportunities for emerging writers; there’s a chance to pitch your book ideas to a literary agent and receive on-the-spot feedback (‘speed-pitch your book!’ workshop), or take part in a digital ‘kick-start your writing’ masterclass.

We have a great series of live events, such as a night of stunning poetry with More Fiya Anthology, Paterson Joseph reading from his new book on Ignatius Sancho and a free sharing of Refilwe, a reimagining of Rapunzel, where the lead character is a Black girl with beautiful long dreadlocks.

One of the events I’m most excited about is our artist in residence, awardwinning writer, performer and theatre maker, Travis Alabanza, delivering a keynote lecture on their incredible new book None of the Above, and a special workshop for Black LGBTQI+ writers, on Saturday 19th November.

I’m thrilled we have Lemn Sissay headlining on our family day on Sunday 20th November, with a read-along of his brilliant new children’s book, Don’t Ask The Dragon. Every child will take home a free, signed copy, plus there’s a chance to pick up a free abridged version of his memoir, My Name is Why, as BGAC brings The Big Read to Tottenham for the first time, working with local libraries and giving away 1,000 books as part of our partnership with The Reading Agency.

If for some reason you can’t make it to TLF, we’ve got lots of great stuff planned for the end of the year. There’s our new monthly film night on the first Thursday of the month, and the magic and mystery of Punch Drunk’s ‘Lost Lending Library’ in December. Head to the BGAC website and join us as we come together to embrace the power of words to heal.

Visit berniegrantcentre.co.uk


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