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Contains Strong Language

BBC Contains Strong Language 2022 Line Up

The UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival of new writing landed in Birmingham in September 2022. Leading poets and world class spoken word artists took to the stage alongside brand new voices.
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Friday 9 September 2022

Hippodrome

19:00 Linton Kwesi Johnson & Fred D'Aguiar Performance
Linton Kwesi Johnson & Fred D'Aguiar Performance
20:30 The Verb with Linton Kwesi Johnson
The Verb with Linton Kwesi Johnson

PoliNations

10:00 The Laurel Prize: Workshop #1 with Elena Karina Byrne
The Laurel Prize: Workshop #1 with Elena Karina Byrne
12:00 The Laurel Prize: Workshop #2 with Glyn Maxwell
The Laurel Prize: Workshop #2 with Glyn Maxwell
14:30 The Laurel Prize Reading
The Laurel Prize Reading
20:10 Soweto Kinch: White Juju
Soweto Kinch: White Juju

Saturday 10 September 2022

Hippodrome

10:00 BBC Writersroom: Who We Are & What We Do
BBC Writersroom: Who We Are & What We Do
11:00 Free Thinking
Free Thinking
12:00 Podium Poets: Shivanee Ramlochan (Trinidad) and Dzifa Benson (UK)
Podium Poets: Shivanee Ramlochan (Trinidad) and Dzifa Benson (UK)
10:30 Scarlett Ward Workshop: Space & Space - The Infinity of a Blank Page
Scarlett Ward Workshop: Space & Space - The Infinity of a Blank Page
13:00 VERVE Press 5th Birthday Celebration
VERVE Press 5th Birthday Celebration
13:00 Romalyn Ante Workshop: Legends & Myths in Mundane Life
Romalyn Ante Workshop: Legends & Myths in Mundane Life
14:30 Language is a Queer Thing: Showcase
Language is a Queer Thing: Showcase
16:15 Podium Poets: Kayo Chingonyi (UK), Alvin Pang (Singapore) and Efe Paul Azino (Nigeria)
Podium Poets: Kayo Chingonyi (UK), Alvin Pang (Singapore) and Efe Paul Azino (Nigeria)
15:30 Shivanee Ramlochan Workshop: Poetry as Ferocity - Writing your Truth with Radical Honesty
Shivanee Ramlochan Workshop: Poetry as Ferocity - Writing your Truth with Radical Honesty
17:00 BBC 1Xtra: Words First Talent Showcase
BBC 1Xtra: Words First Talent Showcase
18:45 Podium Poets: Nick Makoha (UK), Njeri Wangarĩ (Kenya) and Nafeesa Hamid (UK)
Podium Poets: Nick Makoha (UK), Njeri Wangarĩ (Kenya) and Nafeesa Hamid (UK)
19:30 The Verb: Apples & Snakes 40th Celebration with Benjamin Zephaniah & More
The Verb: Apples & Snakes 40th Celebration with Benjamin Zephaniah & More

PoliNations

13:00 Calling the Shots: Animation Workshop
Calling the Shots: Animation Workshop
19:00 Premiere of the BBC Words First Animations
Premiere of the BBC Words First Animations

Sunday 11 September 2022

Hippodrome

10:30 Dzifa Benson Workshop: The Gift
Dzifa Benson Workshop: The Gift
12:00 Across Borders - Poems from the Commonwealth
Across Borders - Poems from the Commonwealth
14:00 The Verb: Across Borders & Language is a Queer Thing Celebration
The Verb: Across Borders & Language is a Queer Thing Celebration
13:00 Kostya Tsolakis Workshop
Kostya Tsolakis Workshop
10:30 Contains Strong Language & Verve: Indie Poetry Press Book Fair
Contains Strong Language & Verve: Indie Poetry Press Book Fair
16:30 CSL Poetry Reading
CSL Poetry Reading
15:30 Saradha Soobrayen Workshop: The Curiosity Toolkit: The Art of Unknowing in Poetry
Saradha Soobrayen Workshop: The Curiosity Toolkit: The Art of Unknowing in Poetry
17:30 Closing Poetry Party
Closing Poetry Party
20:00 Words and Music
Words and Music

PoliNations

10:30 BBC Radio Club
BBC Radio Club