Bristol Hosts Poet Laureate

The city of Bristol hosted a programme of Jamaican-themed events to celebrate the visit of the Jamaican Poet Laureate, Professor Mervyn Morris, OM, from October 10 to 11.

The Bristol City Council and the University of Bristol hosted Professor Morris, along with three other Jamaican poets, Melville Cooke, Yashika Graham and Richard Dingwall.

Included in the programme were a civic reception at Royal West of England Academy with local Jamaican artists and community leaders; and the Bristol Poetry Institute’s Annual Reading with the Poet Laureate at Wills Memorial Building at the University of Bristol.

Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Diedre Mills, who spoke at the reception to honour Professor Morris, said the High Commission was pleased to support the events, as they provided an important opportunity to showcase the vibrancy of Jamaican culture through the literary arts.

In addition to  Bristol , Professor Morris’  other UK engagements included  speaking at the George Padmore Institute/British Library ‘Is English We Speak’ event;  a presentation on ‘Miss Lou: Louise Bennett and Jamaican Culture’,  at the Yesu Persaud Centre for Caribbean Studies, University of Warwick ; and Reading at the Kingston Writing School, Kingston University, London.