Black British Book Festival holds Black literature panel at Glastonbury

The Black British Book Festival has held the first ever Black literature panel at Glastonbury Festival.

In collaboration with Bristol-based event organisers Team Love, the panel entitled “Going Against The Grain" took place in the Silver Hayes field on 25th June 2023.

The panel delved into “the remarkable rise of Grime music, a genre that emerged from the streets of London and defied mainstream trends, carving its own unique path to success".

Chaired by Magdalene Abraha, a writer and publisher at Jacaranda Books known for her A Quick Ting On series, the panel boasted a line-up of experts, artists, and industry professionals including: George the Poet, a London-born award-winning spoken word performer of Ugandan heritage; author, journalist and rapper Frankyln Addo; and Metal Messiah, archivist of UK culture.

Selina Brown, children’s author and founder of the Black British Book Festival, said: "We are thrilled to have hosted the first-ever Black literature panel at Glastonbury Festival. This momentous occasion represents a significant step towards amplifying Black voices and narratives within the literary and music realms. We believe that the power of storytelling knows no boundaries, and through initiatives like this, we aim to create a more inclusive and vibrant cultural landscape."

Tom Paine, director of Team Love and area manager of Silver Hayes at Glastonbury, added: "We are honoured to have partnered with the Black British Book Festival to create the ’Going Against The Grain’ panel at Glastonbury Festival. This collaboration represents a powerful fusion of music and literature, showcasing the resilience, creativity, and cultural impact of Black artists. We believe that events like these have the potential to shape and redefine the creative landscape, fostering inclusivity and celebrating diverse voices."