Place and identity are intimately bound together. This is never more apparent than when they pull apart and press up against each other. In partnership with the Lagos International Poetry Festival, Nigeria, and in celebration of the announcement of the winners of the Lagos / London Poetry Competition, we open up a cultural conversation between established poets in Nigeria and the UK who share heritage, culture, and even languages. The session will feature conversations that express multiple, sometimes contradictory, sometimes revealing perspectives on ‘homecoming.’ It will also, of course, feature the five winners of the competition, reading their winning poems.

Tickets are free - please book your place to receive the link to attend. This event takes place online as part of the LIPFest 2022 on Friday 28 October, 4-5pm BST / WAT.

The Lagos / London Poetry Competition was open to 16-26 year-old poets in Nigerian and in the UK with Nigerian heritage, writing a poem on the theme of homecoming. The winners were selected by the judges, Amarachi Attamah, Efe Paul Azino and Kaozara Okikiola Oyalowo. The competition was funded by the British Council Nigeria through their Cultural Connections programme - #BritishCouncilCEx2022