Remember Saro-Wiwa Poetry Night November 9, 2005

Ten years ago writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed by the Nigerian government for his part in supporting the Ogoni people's right to social and ecological justice. In this special event, we celebrate his life and work by bringing together a distinguished bill of artists who feel an affinity with Saro-Wiwa's life-work. Wole Soyinka is the first African to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. He has written drama, novels and poetry. Like Ken Saro-Wiwa, he is Nigerian. This evening he will read poems in honour of Ken. Alice Oswald won the TS Eliot Prize in 2002 for Dart, her second collection of poetry. Woods etc. is her third collection. Her theme is nature, but her listening syntax locates a human pulse inside the workings of a phenomenal world. 'Oswald has soul in riverfuls.' (The Guardian). Byron Wallen plays trumpet, flugelhorn and shells. He has released three albums featuring his own compositions that brim with his unique brand of jazz. This evening Byron will perform his piece, Planet Shell. 'A fascinating set of his own pieces reflecting the influence of various strands in the evolution of black music... the effect is mesmeric'. (Jazz UK on Indigo, his third album). Our MC is poet Lemn Sissay, who published his first collection at 20, and whose one-man show, Something Dark, was produced at Battersea Arts Centre and broadcast on Radio 3 last year. 'Fierce, funny, serious, satirical, streetwise and tender.' (Big Issue).

Tickets: ?8.50
Booking Fee: ?1.50 Members: 75p
Concessions: 50% off (limited availability)
Event held in the Purcell Room.

To book: http://www.rfh.org.uk/main/events/114466.html
Visit: http://www.remembersarowiwa.com