Bristol, the vibrant city nestled in the South West of England, has a rich history of nurturing and developing new and innovative poets. The city boasts of various literary events, readings, and festivals, making it a hub for poets, aspiring and established alike. Bristol has birthed some of the most talented and influential poets in recent times. In this article, we’ll explore the poetry scene in Bristol, and some of the poets that have made an impact in the city.
[Bristol Poetry Festival](https://www.bristolpoetryfestival.co.uk/) is the biggest poetry festival in Bristol, held annually in April, consisting of a range of performances, readings, and workshops, celebrating a diverse range of voices and styles. The festival is supported by the Arts Council England and showcases the best of national and local talent, promoting a mix of traditional forms and innovative contemporary poetry. The festival brings together both established and new voices, encouraging all to share their work, ideas, and passion for poetry.
One of the leading poets to come out of Bristol is Miles Chambers. He performs widely across the United Kingdom and produces literature as well as performance pieces drawing from hip hop, jazz, reggae, blues and dub traditions. He was the poet laureate for Bristol from 2017 to 2019 and has published over eight collections of poetry, including his most recent work “The Tide Changes but the Spirit Remains”. Miles’ writing is known for being a blend of spoken word, rap and jazz, resonating with Bristol’s vibrant music culture.
Vanessa Kisuule is another talented poet that represents Bristol’s poetry culture. In 2013, she became the first writer-in-residence at tattoo exhibition, and in 2014 she won the National Poetry Slam Championship. She has since gone on to win multiple awards for her poetry, her most recent being The Jerwood Compton Poetry fellowship, the UK’s largest poetry award. Vanessa’s poetry takes on numerous subjects from identity to social issues, and her unique style blends spoken word and political activism, making her an exciting voice within the scene.
Mychael Owen is another exciting poet with close ties to the city of Bristol. His work brings together activism and artistry as his poetry tackles issues like mental health, the environment and social equality. He is also the co-founder of Bristol Write and is the chair of the Poetry Society’s youth committee. His debut collection “sweetboy” explores his experiences of facing racism and classism and has been described as “a personal and political statement” by acclaimed poet and performer, Kat Francois.
Rounding up our list of talented poets from Bristol is Stephen Lightbown. He is a poet, performer, and educator who uses his work to share his experiences of racism, social inequality, and the complexities of identity. He founded City Changers, a project that inspires and trains young people to bring about change through poetry and the arts. His most recent collection of poetry is “84 Miles”, a powerful exploration of his identity as a queer, mixed-race man, and the politics of borders and migration.
Bristol’s thriving poetry scene is a result of the dedication and creativity of poets, organisers, publishers, and others who support and promote poetry in the city. One of the people behind the growth of Bristol’s literary scene is Tom Sastry, an award-winning writer and editor who has helped create several literary events, including the Bristol Poetry Festival. He also teaches poetry and creative writing at Bath Spa University and at the Bristol Folk House.
Another important staple of Bristol’s poetry scene is [Raise the Bar](http://www.raisethebarpoetry.com). They are a collective that organises events, workshops, and masterclasses around the country, bringing poets from diverse backgrounds to share their work and performances. Raise the Bar regularly host shows in Bristol and are committed to promoting poetry to new audiences and encouraging new poets to share their work.
Bristol’s vibrant and eclectic arts scene is an ideal breeding ground for the city’s thriving poetry scene. The Bristol Poetry Institute, which is hosted by the University of Bristol, showcases contemporary and historical poetry, translating poetry, and new writing. They host events and poetry readings, draws together the city’s poetic community and contribute to the wider cultural life of Bristol. Bristol is also home to publishers such as Hesterglock Press, Shearsman Books, and Burning Eye who publish the works of both established and up-and-coming poets from Bristol and beyond.
In conclusion, Bristol’s poetry scene is bursting with talent and diversity, reflecting the wealth of artistic creativity that the city cultivates. There is a strong sense of community within the poetry scene, with poets and organisations working together to promote poetry, creating a platform for new voices in the genre. The city of Bristol has birthed some of the most exciting and innovative poets of recent times, and with such a thriving scene, we can only expect more to blossom in the future.
[[poets Bristol]]