A Celebration of British Somali Poetry
Explore how diaspora Somali poets rework an ancient tradition, in this event featuring readings and conversation with award-winning poets.
Poetry has long been a ‘homeland’ of sorts for Somali communities in the Horn of Africa: a space for debate, provocation and reflection, a site of shared cultural memory and a spiritual sanctuary.
But what happens to this ‘homeland’ – and the sanctuary words provide – as Somalis move to new geographic, cultural and linguistic locales?
Featuring a line-up of award-winning poets – including Samatar Elmi, Asmaa Jama, Ibrahim Hirsi, Safiya Mohamed and Zakariye – this event examines how diaspora Somali poets who compose in English are reworking an ancient oral tradition to imagine, reflect and sustain ideas of ‘home’ in the UK and beyond.
Through conversation and performance, hear how poetry that grapples with themes of migration, racism, inter-generational trauma, love, friendship and belonging continues to provoke, inspire and inform Somali- and English-speaking audiences.
This event is co-organised by the Southbank Centre and Kayd Somali Arts & Culture as part of the London Literature Festival and Somali Week Festival.
Need to know
About the poets
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
24 Oct 2026, 12pm
Run time
1 hour and 15 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
from £17
Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.
Concessions
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For your visit
This event is held at the Purcell Room Southbank Centre
The Purcell Room is located in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Purcell Room is an auditorium located within our Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
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Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.