Lemn Sissay – Let the Light Shine In

Spend an evening with a master of the spoken word, BAFTA nominated author, activist, performer and Sunday Times number one bestseller, Lemn Sissay OBE as he takes to our festival stage with this brand-new show.

Every morning for 10 years Lemn has written four lines and shares them on his socials with no explanation and no title. After catching the public’s attention, they have been transformed into murals, quoted in books, made into songs and even tattoos. He chose the best of them for Let the Light Pour In which became an instant Sunday Times Bestseller – and now a live show.

With live readings from his books, Lemn will unravel some of the original stories behind the poems, and how they have been used in people’s lives and his own.

Expect the unexpected. A night bursting with light to stave off the dark. With the unique chance to pepper Lemn with questions, this thought-provoking and entertaining show on the power of creativity can’t be missed. An evening full of truth, humour and hope, Lemn will allow us into his morning poetry practice and show us all how he lets the light pour in.

I will build an embassy

In your heart over time

There is a plot of land inside me

Build one in mine

Lemn will be signing copies of Let the Light Pour In and additional bestselling titles will be available for purchase at the show.

Lemn Sissay is a BAFTA-nominated, award-winning writer and broadcaster. He has authored collections of poetry and plays and his memoir My Name Is Why was a number one Sunday Times bestseller. His Landmark poems are visible in London, Manchester, Huddersfield and Addis Ababa. He has been made an Honorary Doctor by the universities of Manchester, Kent, Essex, Huddersfield and Brunel, and in 2019 he was awarded the PEN Pinter Prize. He received an MBE in 2010 and an OBE in 2021 for services to literature and charity. In 2023, Sissay was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. He is British and Ethiopian.

Praise for Lemn Sissay:

‘Outstanding’ Matt Haig

‘So powerful’ Elif Shafak

‘One of the most original, challenging poets writing in Britain today’ Daily Mail

’His name is magic; his poems are songs on the street’ Independent

‘Sissay is a passionate and powerful voice’ Kae Tempest

Previous titles:

For Adults

Tender Fingers in a Clenched Fist; Rebel Without Applause; Morning Breaks in the Elevator; The Emperor's Watchmaker; Listener; Refugee Boy; Gold from the Stone; My Name Is Why

For Children

Don't Ask the Dragon

Host or Publisher Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics