An evening with Lemn Sissay

Lemn Sissay reads from My name is Why

About this event

Join the Intellectual Forum at Jesus College and Cambridge Creatives to hear from renowned poet, playwright, memoirist, performer and broadcaster Lemn Sissay OBE.

Lemn will be reading from his memoir: My Name is Why, and discussing his life and work with members of Cambridge Creatives.

More about the speaker:

Lemn Sissay OBE is a British poet, playwright, memoirist, performer and broadcaster.

Lemn Sissay’s Landmark Poems in public spaces can be seen throughout Manchester and London at venues such as The Royal Festival Hall. His Landmark poems can also be found at The British Council in Addis Ababa. In 2021 alongside Hans Ulrich Obrist of the Serpentine Gallery, Lemn co-curated the acclaimed exhibition Poet Slash Artist which included artists and poets such as Lubaina Himid, Tracy Emin and Imtiaz Dharkar for Manchester International Festival 2021.

Lemn is Chancellor of The University of Manchester, and trustee of The Foundling Museum and The Christmas Dinners. He is patron of Twenty Stories High, The National Association for the Teaching of English Theatre and Ambassador for Place2B. Lemn was the official poet of the 2012 London Olympics. He is artistic advisor to The Manchester International Festival and was the Guest Director of Brighton Festival 2020 and 2021.

In 2021 he was made Visiting Fellow at Jesus College, Cambridge.

What COVID-19 measures do you currently have in place?

Please wear a face covering when you are in the building.

We ask that you do not attend if you have any of the main COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in contact with anyone with symptoms. We encourage you to take a lateral flow test before coming to the event.

We are designing all of our in-person events with decreased capacity. We also ask that during your time with us you act in a way so as to so as to avoid the spread of the virus through best endeavours as recommended by the NHS.

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How do I get to West Court, Jesus College?

The entry to West Court is directly on Jesus Lane, near to the intersection with Park Street. Please DO NOT ENTER through the main entrance to the Porters’ Lodge, known as "the Chimney”. A map is included below to assist you in finding our entrance. Our what3words address is tree.heat.bravo

What transport options do I have?

There is no on-site car parking at Jesus College for those attending our events unless they hold a Blue Badge. There is limited on-street parking outside the College and the Park Street Car Park is very close. There are also multiple Park and Ride options to the City Centre, which drop you a short walk away from the College.

Regular train services run to Cambridge from London’s Kings Cross Station, London Liverpool Street, London St Pancras, and many other mainline UK stations. The College is located approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) from the railway station. Buses run about every 10 minutes and there is a taxi rank outside the station and one here in the city centre for your return.

What can I bring with me?

There are coat hooks around our building, but there are no storage or coat minding facilities and we cannot take any responsibility for items left unattended. Bikes can be securely locked and there is CCTV. Mobile phones are allowed but must be silenced or placed on airline mode during the event. Flash photography is prohibited.

What if I have access requirements?

West Court is access-friendly and there are hearing loops. Please let us know about any access requirements in advance of any event via [email protected].

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