Event type: Festival

Kenan Malik and Tomiwa Owolade, two renowned authors will be exploring the complex relationship between class and race in modern British society. Join them as they delve into the ideologies of race and class with them, and ask, is one more important than the other – do they intertwine or co-exist in relationship to social inequality.

Kenan Malik, a prolific writer, lecturer, and broadcaster, will be discussing his book Not So Black and White, which challenges commonly held beliefs on race and identity politics. Through the lens of history and personal narratives, Malik argues for a better understanding of the racialized working class and a re-evaluation of fashionable concepts like cultural appropriation.

Tomiwa Owolade, an award-winning writer and journalist, will offer a fresh perspective on race in Britain with his book This is Not America. By highlighting crucial differences between British and American societies, Owolade challenges the notion that British race issues can be viewed through an American lens.

The event will be chaired by Madeline Heneghan, Co-director of Writing on the Wall. With her extensive experience in community engagement and diversity, Madeline will guide us through this discussion, which is sure to challenge our perspectives on race and class.

Post-war dreams of an egalitarian society have long been shattered. After twelve years of austerity, working class people from all backgrounds are in a worse position now in all aspects of their lives – in education, health, employment and the arts.

Class inequality is either blamed upon the working class or denied by those in power. A Matter of Class is your chance to join in the discussion with our expert guests and share your experiences of the impact of class and growing inequality on individuals, communities, and for society as a whole.

Chris Nineham (photo credit: Jim Aindow) is a founder and vice-chair of the Stop the War Coalition. He was one of the organisers of the two million February 15th, 2003 demonstration in London against the Iraqui invasion, international organiser of the Genoa G8 protests in 2001.

He writes for Stop the War and Counterfire and other outlets and appears regularly in the media. He is the author of The People v. Tony Blair (Zero Books, 2013). His new book, Radical Chains, Why Class Matters (Zero Books), has been described as, ‘A much-needed explanation for why a return to class is essential to have a future worthy of human beings.’, Paul LeBlanc.

Joelle Taylor is a T.S Eliot Prize 2022 Prize winner for C+NTO & Othered Poems, Joelle Taylor is the author of 4 collections of poetry and a novel. C+NTO is currently being adapted for theatre with a view to touring. A former UK SLAM Champion she founded the national youth poetry slams SLAMbassadors through the Poetry Society in 2001, remaining its Artistic Director until 2018.

She is a co-curator and host of Out-Spoken Live, resident at the Southbank Centre, and an editor at Out-Spoken Press. Joelle is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and the 2022 Saboteur Spoken Word Artist of the Year.

Peter Hooton is the frontman of acclaimed Liverpool band The Farm who scored a string of top 40 hits and a No 1 album Spartacus in 1991, co-founded legendary fanzine The End, championed by the late DJ John Peel. In 2011 he started the Justice Tonight band with Mick Jones of The Clash/BAD to highlight the Hillsborough campaign for justice and in 2012 the Justice Collective went to No 1 at Christmas with their cover of ‘He Ain’t Heavy.’

In 2015 he was awarded a Doctorate in Philosophy from Edge Hill University for his commitment to social justice and in 2016 he was appointed by the Mayor of Liverpool to chair a group that will oversee The Beatles Legacy in Liverpool.

Greg Quiery is a Liverpool-based writer and poet. He is known for his evocative and poignant works that capture the spirit and essence of life in Liverpool and beyond.

With a unique style that blends realism and lyricism, Greg’s writing often explores themes of identity, community, and social justice. He has published several collections of poetry, including Liverpool Lullabies and Songs of the City, which have received critical acclaim. Greg is also a regular performer at literary events and festivals across the UK.

Greg will read from a work in progress, a novel which tells the story of two Irish people – Cissie Duff and James Tyrell – who come to Liverpool from Ireland in 1862, one as a house servant, the other as a fugitive. The situation of Irish migrants to Liverpool in this period is documented in Greg’s book In Hardship and Hope, a history of the Liverpool Irish.

Where The Grass Is Greener is a fictionalised account of one aspect of that migration. Greg will read extracts from the book and will welcome discussion on how it deals with the subject matter, and any questions arising.

Future is Flames! brings together a diverse group of performers, artists, and activists to creatively explore the urgent issue of the climate crisis.

Our planet is facing unprecedented challenges, with changes happening at an alarming rate and devastating communities worldwide. From soil erosion to polluted air and undrinkable water, the effects of the climate crisis are felt every day, especially in the Global South, which produces the smallest carbon footprint but suffers the most severe impacts.

As we gather in one of Liverpool’s most beautiful natural settings, we will ignite discussions, spark curiosity, and showcase solutions that can help us address the climate crisis. Our talented performers and activists will use music, art, and storytelling to engage the audience in a conversation about the future of our planet.

From discussions on renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and reforestation, to showcasing research on the latest technological solutions, we will showcase a range of possibilities to help us create a sustainable future.

But we won’t just talk about the problems; we will also celebrate the solutions. Future in Flames! will feature interactive activities and workshops where participants can learn about small but powerful changes they can make in their daily lives to help reduce their carbon footprint. From composting to biking, we will explore simple yet effective ways to create a more sustainable world.

So join them for a day of inspiration, learning, and action at Future is Flames! Let’s come together to spark change and create a sustainable future for our planet.

Ciarán Hodgers is a Drogheda –born multi-award-winning spoken word poet. His debut collection Cosmocartography was shortlisted for the Rubery Book Award 2019, toured the UK & Ireland for 30 dates and was featured on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, The Independent, The Irish Independent, The Irish Times, RTE Radio 1, BBC Radio Merseyside.

Named “one of the region’s most exciting spoken word performers” by The Independent, he was named a highlight of Guy Garvey’s Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre London and a “powerhouse poet at the top of his game” by Lingo Festival Dublin.

Solastalgia, his second poetry collection, is forthcoming from Burning Eye Books in November 2023 and explores mental health, landscape, climate change, language, spirituality, philosophy and healing,

Nazeem is a prolific singer-songwriter, guitarist, peace ambassador & founding director of Dole NdawiNGO in The Gambia. He uses the transformative power of music to build resilience & positive change within communities & amongst young people.

His Afrocoustic music reflects his roots & culture; influenced by a 2-year residency in Senegal where he supported musicians such as jazzman Vieux Mac Faye, Wolof pop singer Viviane Chidid & guitarist Jeanott Mendy. Nazeem plays an infectious blend of Afro Pop, Zouk, Reggae, Dance hall & Afrocoustic with Groove. He has made several visits to UK to raise his international profile & record new songs with Marquee Records.

Nazeem performed with legendary Afro rock band, Osibisa, on the WOMAD main stage at the festival’s 40th Anniversary, he kicked off the N’famady Kouyaté concert at Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room & performed at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London in early January as guest vocalist for Osibisa.

Nazeem also headlined the launch of a new album “ITER” where he features on two of the album tracks by #Klyptos, a collective of artists & producers linked to Liverpool. During Black History Month 22, Nazeem launched the incredible digital e-book #WhatsYourStory? International in collaboration with Writing on the Wall (WOW); a powerful arts project giving a platform to Gambian youth to tell their own story through written word and music. Don’t miss this inexhaustible talent.

Kevin P. Gilday is an award-winning poet, writer and performer from Glasgow. He is the founder of poetry performance collective The Scribbler’s Union and was co-founder of much loved spoken word cabaret night Sonnet Youth. He is a National Theatre of Scotland Breakthrough Writer, a BBC Writers room Scottish Voice and one of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary poets.

Kevin has performed all over the world, from Hollywood to East Kilbride, including major festivals (BBC 6Music Festival, Glastonbury), Fringes (Edinburgh, Toronto, Vancouver), literary festivals (Edinburgh International, Verve) as well as large scale tours of the UK, Europe, the US and Canada. He has supported artists and public figures such as Akala, Saul Williams, George the Poet, Jackie Kay, Liz Lochhead, Sage Francis, The Silencers and Jeremy Corbyn MP.

He has published five books of poetry, with his most recent – Anxiety Music – released by Verve Press in September of 2022 to universal acclaim and promoted via a 22 date tour of the UK and Europe.

So join them for a day of inspiration, learning, and action at Future in Flames! Let’s come together to spark change and create a sustainable future for our planet.

*These are difficult times. They know some people may struggle to afford full price tickets. If you would like to attend this event but can’t afford to, please contact info@writingonthewall.org.uk.  All queries will be treated in confidence.  If you would like to purchase a gifted ticket for someone who can’t afford it, please buy directly from the event page and we will offer your ticket out.

To mark the 50th anniversary of hip hop, join Writing on the Wall for an unforgettable evening featuring one of the most socially conscious and electrifying rappers of our time.

Lowkey’s music is a perfect blend of insightful lyrics and powerful beats, making him a towering figure in the UK hip-hop scene. With support from rapper Blue Saint & singer songwriter Dorcas Seb.

Lowkey is a prominent UK rapper and political activist known for his conscious hip-hop activism. He has collaborated with such major artists as Immortal Technique, Wretch 32, Akala, Dead Prez, and Outlawz. He is a member of the supergroup Mongrel and has released critically acclaimed albums, including Soundtrack to the Struggle and Soundtrack to the Struggle 2, features notable figures like Noam Chomsky, Frankie Boyle, and Ken Loach, and collaborates with Maverick Sabre.

Blue Saint is a Congolese and British, Liverpool-based rapper, singer-songwriter, designer, poet, spoken word artist and producer who blends hip-hop, RnB and soul to create a style that is both introspective and infectious. His honest and vulnerable lyrics, paired with his smooth delivery, have garnered him a dedicated following in Liverpool and beyond.

Former member of the BeMOBO Award nominated WoW’s Liverpool Young Writers group, winner of the Poetry Society’s SLAMbassadors award, Merseyrail Sound Station prize, Blue has performed alongside UK number one artists Ed Sheeran, Plan B, Wretch 32 and Akala as well as Jerry Dammers of The Specials and spoken word artist Saul Williams.

Dorcas is a Liverpool-based Congolese multi-disciplinary artist who specialises in drama, music and poetry, drawing inspiration from her Congolese and Rwandan heritage to create a sound that is both soulful and dynamic. Her powerful vocals and captivating stage presence have earned her a reputation as one of Liverpool’s most exciting emerging artists.

Recent theatre credits include Vice Versa ( HOME Manchester, Eclipse Theatre and Unity Theatre), The Living Newspaper 6 (The Royal Court), Buttercup (BBC Arts), Big Up (Theatre-Rites & 20 Stories High) and Black Men Walking (Eclipse Theatre). She has also worked with the BBC, Netball World Cup, Writing On The Wall, International Slavery Museum, Savera UK and more in her time as a writer and spoken-word artist.

Don’t miss out on this incredible live event! Get your tickets now and join them in celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop.

*Customers with disabilities who would like to discuss specific seating requirements can call 0344 335 0437 Mondays to Friday from 9am – 5pm.

Or you can visit them at the Ticket Quarter Box Office for over the counter ticket purchases:

Ticket Quarter Box Office, M&S Bank Arena, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 4FP. The Box Office is currently open from 12 noon on M&S Bank Arena event days only.

Step into the world of James Hanley, the ‘Neglected genius of the novel,’ and discover why his powerful work remains overlooked by so many.

Despite his impressive canon of over 35 books and 28 radio plays, Hanley’s writing was banned by the British Establishment under Obscenity Laws, putting him in the same category as banned works like Howl by Allen Ginsberg and Lady Chatterley’s Lover by DH Lawrence.

But Hanley’s writing was not just controversial – it was ground-breaking. He refused to compromise on his Anarchic vision, shining a light on power relationships and featuring working-class characters for over 50 years. His impact was so significant that even Nobel prize winner William Faulkner could not help but praise his “good clean cyclone” of language.

So why has Hanley been so overlooked? Join us for a session of talks and films that delve into the reasons behind this neglect. Was Hanley just another angry scouser, or was his uncompromising vision simply too challenging for the literary establishment? Come find out and celebrate the legacy of this remarkable writer at our festival.

Writer Tony Wailey, a lifelong fan of the work of James Hanley, and George Ditton, an undergraduate at Edge Hill University, have created a short film focusing on Hanley’s Liverpool roots, which will be screened at the event.

Tony Wailey is a prolific author with a diverse body of work spanning eight books, including compact novels and three volumes of poetry. As a former seafarer himself, Tony’s writing reflects on the international character of the coastal metropolis.

Alongside Steve Higginson, Wailey co-authored the seminal book Edgy Cities in 2006, which explored Liverpool’s historical connections with global migration and cultural exchange. In 2017, he contributed to the editorial team that published George Garrett’s autobiography, Ten years on the Parish. Wailey’s current writing delves into the interplay between personal family history and the significance of place.

Join friends of WoW, Professor Stephen Small and community organiser Jimi Jagne, in a dynamic conversation centering on their recent publication 1981 – Black Liverpool Past and Present a fascinating and timely insight into the history of Liverpool’s Black communities.

Focusing on the 1981 Uprising as a pinnacle moment, Jagne and Small contextualise Liverpool’s Black history before and after. In doing so, they recognise the people who have shaped Liverpool and their stories of resistance and self-determination. Designed as an accessible starting point for studying Liverpool’s Black history, the stories within this collection will educate and entertain.

Stephen Small is a Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, where he has been teaching since 1995. He earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from UC Berkeley, and his research focuses on the history and sociology of Black people in the diaspora.

He has held visiting positions at universities in several countries, including Great Britain, France, and Japan. Stephen is the author of several books, including 20 Questions and Answers on Black Europe, and is currently working on a new book on slavery and imperialism in Black Liverpool.

He is also co-editor of Black Europe and the African Diaspora, 2009. Stephen was born and raised in Liverpool and is a child of the Windrush Generation. He has been involved with various Black and multi-racial organizations and was a research assistant to the Right Honourable Bernie Grant, MP, in the 1990s.

Jimi Jagne is a local historian and L8 activist who is concerned about misconceptions surrounding the ’81 Uprising, which he believes was an uncompromising form of local resistance seeking justice. He has been involved in activism for over 41 years, starting with defending the streets from the National Front and being arrested for his involvement in the revolt.

Jimi has also been an anti-apartheid campaigner, managed a mentoring program, and co-founded Toxteth Against the Riots in response to disturbances in 2011. Jimmy has been featured in interviews with local and national newspapers, radio stations across the UK, and national radio including the BBC’s ‘The Today Programme’ and ‘Witness’ daily strand. He has also provided historical expertise on television productions such as ‘A House Through Time’ and has been profiled in two books on the L8 Uprising.

The event host is Janaya Pickett, WoW’s Project Manager, who is currently overseeing their Creative Heritage work on the archive of Dorothy Kuya at National Museums Liverpool.

In his brilliant new memoir, Getting Better, Life lessons on going under, getting over it, and getting through it, beloved poet and author Michael Rosen shares his experience of grief after the death of his son, suffering Covid and near death, and the lessons he learned along the way.

Through investigating the road to recovery, Michael explores how we can find it within ourselves to live well again after, or even during the darkest times of our lives. Despite his grief and trauma, Michael has survived and even learned to find joy in life in the aftermath of tragedy.

Michael Rosen is one of the most popular contemporary poets and authors of books for children. His titles include We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, winner of the Smarties Book Prize, Sad Book and Totally Wonderful Miss Plumberry. The presenter of ‘Word of Mouth’ on BBC Radio 4, he received the Eleanor Farjeon Award for Services to Children’s Literature in 1997 and He served as Children’s Laureate from 2007 to 2009.

Jordan Stephens is best known as one half of Hip Hop duo Rizzle Kicks. He is an accomplished actor appearing in Rogue One (2016), Last Vegas (2013) and Why Him? (2016). He is also a producer, activist and writer. Jordan’s first children’s picture book, The Missing Piece is being published by Bloomsbury.

How Many More Women? tackles violence against women, one of the most pressing issues of our time, which has been prevalent for decades and unfortunately and still persists across the world today.

Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.

Worldwide, almost one third (27%) of women aged 15-49 years who have been in a relationship report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner. The health sector has an important role to play to provide comprehensive health care to women subjected to violence, and as an entry point for referring women to other support services they may need.

Our panel boasts four experts who will share their experiences and insights on this critical issue: Keina Yoshida, an international human rights lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, an Australian human rights lawyer, Betsy Stanko OBE, an American criminologist academic and researcher, and Winnie M Li, an author and activist who survived a violent assault, will come together for a powerful and insightful discussion.

Keina Yoshida has worked with numerous organisations around the world to promote women’s rights and is an expert in international human rights law. Jennifer Robinson’s focus on gender and sexual orientation has helped to advance the rights of women and marginalized groups, while Betsy Stanko’s extensive research on violence against women and the criminal justice system has been described as feminist criminology. Finally, Winnie M Li, a survivor of sexual violence, has become a prominent voice in the fight against it and is the author of the critically acclaimed novel, “Dark Chapter”.

During the event, our panellist’s will discuss the challenges women face when seeking justice, the need for reforms in the legal system, and share their experiences and insights on the issue of violence against women and what can be done to combat it.

*Customers with disabilities who would like to discuss specific seating requirements can call 0344 335 0437 Mondays to Friday from 9am – 5pm.

Or you can visit them at the Ticket Quarter Box Office for over the counter ticket purchases:

Ticket Quarter Box Office, M&S Bank Arena, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 4FP. The Box Office is currently open from 12 noon on M&S Bank Arena event days only.

Following a thought provoking and entertaining appearance in WoWFest 19, Writing on the Wall welcome back international bestselling author, Kit De Waal for an online conversation on her new memoir Without Warning and Only Sometimes, described by The Sunday Times as ‘Extraordinary, moving and heart-warming’. Kit will be discussing her working-class roots and how they have informed her writing.

Kit will be in conversation with WoW’s Project Manager Janaya Pickett, who is managing WoW’s Creative Heritage work on the archive of Dorothy Kuya at National Museums Liverpool.

Kit de Waal, born to an Irish mother and Caribbean father, was brought up among the Irish community of Birmingham in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Her debut novel My Name Is Leon was an international bestseller, shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize and winner of the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award for 2017.

In 2022 it was adapted for television by the BBC. Her second novel, The Trick to Time, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize and her young adult novel Becoming Dinah was shortlisted for the Carnegie CLIP Award 2020. A collection of short stories, Supporting Cast was published in 2020. An anthology of working-class memoir, Common People was crowdfunded and edited by Kit in 2019.

Kit founded her own TV production company, Portopia Productions and the Big Book Weekend, a free digital literary festival in 2020 and was named the Future Book Person of the Year 2019. Kit is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and Professor and Writer in Residence at Leicester University