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A look behind the scenes of Thursday's wonderful interview with the Poet Lemn Sissay, and his guest, Hairdresser Sabrina Kidd. Andi and Miquita bicker over tracksuit chic, Lemn arrives and destroys Andi's garden, and brings and unusual gift. Plus there's more conversation from the meal, and a heartfelt interview with Lemn and Sabrina on their friendship with Andi and Miquita, and their thoughts on the afternoon. An Offscript Production and YaYa Production. Produced by Tayo Popoola. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At 14, Lemn Sissay inked his initials into his hand with a homemade tattoo. He didn't write LS, but NG, for Norman Greenwood, which he thought was his name. Except that it wasn't. His real identity had been withheld from him since he was born. Born in Wigan to an Ethiopian mother, Lemn Sissay was raised in care; first in a foster family and then, from the age of 12 to 18, in a string of children's homes, including the notorious Wood End assessment centre, where he was physically, emotionally and racially abused. Despite going on to become an award-winning and internationally acclaimed poet, the trauma of his harrowing childhood never left him, and has informed much of his work on and off the page. Today on Ways to Change the World, he talks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about growing up in the care system, finding his identity as a British and Ethiopian man, and why the care system in the UK is failing children in need. Produced by Silvia Maresca
We've got an episode we recorded in Ubud for you this week. Since world poetry day was a few days ago on the 21st of March, this episode is in conversation with Lemn Sissay, poet, presenter, performer and speaker. It was after his festival session on his memoir, My Name is Why so the conversation will meander through his thoughts on poetry, festivals, what he thought of his session to name a few. There will be munching of some tosei too. Please enjoy this relaxed talk with one of Honey's favourite poets punctuated by excerpts from his session and some of his poetry.
Lemn Sissay’s poem “Some Things I Like” celebrates what we might consider discardable — like cold tea, ash trays, and even people. Raising a joyous toast to the forgotten and the forgettable, Sissay recognizes the power we give to what we pay attention to and invites us to look anew at all that has been undervalued. A question to reflect on after you listen: What is something you like that others may not value in the same way?About the Poet:Lemn Sissay is a poet, playwright, and broadcaster. He contributes regularly to BBC radio and is a BAFTA-nominated, international prize-winning writer. His awards include a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to literature by the Queen of England, the PEN Pinter Prize, and a Points of Light Award from the prime minister of England. His books of poetry include Listener, Tender Fingers in a Clenched Fist, and Rebel without Applause. His memoir is My Name is Why.“Some Things I Like” comes from Lemn Sissay’s book Listener. Thank you to Canongate, who published the book and gave us permission to use Lemn’s poem. Read it on our website at onbeing.org.Find the transcript for this episode at onbeing.org.The original music in this episode was composed by Gautam Srikishan.
A podcast special edition of the Bookshelf, in which English poet and writer Lemn Sissay reveals his life and history as a child in care, and connects it to the many foster children of literature.
Poet Lemn Sissay discusses his new memoir, My Name Is Why, which tells the story of his fractured childhood within the now infamous Wigan care system in the '60s and '70s. Since then he has gone on to become the official poet of the London 2012 Olympics, the Chancellor of the University of Manchester, and most recently won this year's PEN Pinter Prize. This Friday the BBC Proms celebrates the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth with a concert featuring Stephen Hough who will be playing Victoria’s own gold piano that she bought in 1856. Sally Goodsir from the Royal Collection Trust discusses the history of the grand piano which is being loaned for the first time by HM The Queen, as well as Victoria & Albert's keen enjoyment of music. The new HBO drama Euphoria is an uncompromising look at drug addiction, sex and the exhausting pressure of social media on a group of teenagers. The show has garnered criticism for its controversial depiction of sexual violence among young people desensitised by porn – but how accurate a portrayal of life in Generation Z is it? Critic Annie Lord gives us her take on a show purporting to give a no-holds-barred view of growing up in 2019. Presenter Samira Ahmed Producer Jerome Weatherald
Poet Lemn Sissay joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about his first major acting role, being a poet as a full time job, some of his early poetry inspirations including Oku Onuora, Grace Nichols and Langston Hughes and the rise of great young, new poets such as Kate Tempest. Become a Patreon supporter of the show for as little as $1 an episode to get exclusive bonus episodes, extended editions of each episode and the chance to win great book prizes. patreon.com/bookshambles
Poet Lemn Sissay - whose own life was uniquely altered on hearing Marley's music and by discovering a shared Ethiopian connection - talks to fans and musicians, from all over the world to find out what it is about Bob Marley's music that has created such a passionate - and diverse - following.
With John Wilson. Professor Robert Winston surveys a major exhibition of Leonardo Da Vinci's anatomical drawings, on show at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace. Acclaimed violinist Maxim Vengerov reveals why he unexpectedly stopped performing as a soloist, and why he's now returning to the concert platform. Poet Lemn Sissay discusses how his poem for the Olympic Park, inspired by a local match factory, has gained a new meaning following the news about the possible placement of surface-to-air missiles in the area. Andrew Collins decides whether American Reunion, the latest film in the American Pie series, is fully or half-baked. Producer Stephen Hughes.
Poet Lemn Sissay - whose own life was uniquely altered on hearing Marley's music and by discovering a shared Ethiopian connection - talks to fans and musicians, from all over the world to find out what it is about Bob Marley's music that has created such a passionate - and diverse - following.