Join Lyra Festival, Renaissance One and Bristol Old Vic, in association with St. Pauls Carnival and Bloomsbury, for a powerful evening celebrating Caribbean poetry, culture and community as part of Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival 2026.
This vibrant and engaging event brings together international, national and local poets and wordsmiths of Caribbean heritage for a dynamic programme of live performance, discussion and music. Set within the historic surroundings of Bristol Old Vic, the evening reflects the festival’s 2026 theme, “Wonder & Wanderers,” exploring movement, identity and belonging through the lens of Caribbean voices.
Headlining the event is internationally acclaimed poet Shara McCallum, winner of the OCM Bocas Caribbean Poetry Prize, whose work explores memory, migration and the natural world. She is joined by leading UK poets Anthony Joseph, T. S. Eliot Prize winner known for his genre-defying blend of poetry and music, and Malika Booker, a two-time Forward Prize winner celebrated for her powerful explorations of heritage, identity and womanhood.
Alongside these headline performances, the evening showcases a strong line-up of Bristol-based poets including Sukina Noor, Kaycee Hill and Poetical Dash, highlighting the depth and diversity of the city’s contemporary spoken word scene.
The programme also features a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring themes of diaspora, nature and wellbeing, with contributions from Shara McCallum, Melanie Abrahams, Zakiya McKenzie and Shawn Sobers. Together, they will reflect on how poetry connects personal histories with wider cultural narratives.
Hosted by Muneera Pilgrim and Edson Burton, the evening is designed to be both celebratory and reflective, bringing audiences together in a shared cultural experience. The event concludes with feel-good music from the house DJ, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that continues beyond the performances.
This is a unique opportunity to experience world-class poetry alongside community voices in one of Bristol’s most iconic venues.
Event Details:
Doors Open: 7:30pm
Start Time: 7:30pm
Finish Time: 9:45pm
Ticket Prices:
Full: £15
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