The Bernie Grant Arts Centre’s Tottenham Literature Festival, a bold festival of words, returns from Monday 14th to Saturday 19th December 2020.

This year’s festival focuses on the theme of ‘Connectedness’. Against the backdrop of social isolation, the devastation of COVID-19 and the rallying cry that Black Lives Matter, Tottenham Literature Festival arrives a week before Christmas to encourage community and a joyful celebration of Black narratives and stories.

The festival brings together award-winning authors and incredible artists from Tottenham and beyond including Ify Adenuga, Derek Owusu, Maaza Mengiste, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Jay Bernard, David Lammy, Gary Younge, Jessica Horn, Lola Shoneyin and Zukiswa Wanner.

Photo of Ify Adenuga © Jake Green: Mother to Skepta, Julie and JME – her new memoir ‘Endless Fortune’ is out now

With a packed blended programme of virtual storytelling, workshops, conversations and outdoor screenings Tottenham Literature Festival continues to celebrate the word and storytelling in all its glorious forms.

Activist and Poet Jessica Horne: Photo Credit Amaal Said 

All our events are free with a pay what you can model.

For the full programme and tickets visit here

There will be outdoor screenings on the Square for projected screenings of commissioned films every night of the festival from 5 – 7pm.

Photo of South African novelist Zukiswa Wanner

ABOUT THE BERNIE GRANT ARTS CENTRE

The Bernie Grant Arts Centre is a unique venue in Tottenham, north London, inspired by the vision of the late Bernie Grant MP.  Designed by Sir David Adjaye, our purpose-built complex opened in 2007, comprising a 274-seat theatre, multi-purpose studio spaces, boutique cinema, a clustering of 20 enterprise units, and an award-winning Café & Bar.  The design of the complex intentionally lends itself to fusing and promoting the endeavours of artists, entrepreneurs, and learners.

Bernie Grant firmly believed that the arts have the power to transform lives, combat inequality, and help us build a fairer and more equal society. Our founding mission was to reduce the bias in the arts world that has contributed to significant under-representation of black and minority ethnic heritage, those growing up in disadvantaged circumstances, and those without the connections to encourage, support and build career success.

Ten years on, our commitment remains steadfast, although the world we operate in is significantly different.  We’ve grown to be part of the fabric of Tottenham, itself experiencing rapid change and growth. Our reputation continues to grow as a venue that supports, promotes, and showcases work by emerging and established artists alike.

The Centre hosts a busy calendar of theatre, dance, live music, comedy, cinema, and exhibitions in collaboration with local artists, as well as some of London’s biggest names, including LIFT Festival, Royal Court Theatre, Tate Modern, Dance Umbrella, and Film Africa. We also work with a range of artists and visiting companies to deliver creative learning programmes at the Centre, in the local community and in Haringey schools.

If you are an artist, choreographer, theatre practitioner, or filmmaker looking for a chance to collaborate, please get in touch by emailing us through the Email button below. We always look forward to hearing from our community.

Header Image: Linton Kwesi Johnson