Windrush Festival
Bernie Grant Arts Centre, London
June 13-127
Although the scandal of the Windrush deportations may be out of sight it is by no means out of mind among many black Britons who were outraged at the most heinous consequence of the Tory government’s ‘hostile environment for immigration’. As a countermeasure there have been calls to celebrate the achievements of West Indians and their descendants, and this festival is most welcome, especially as it takes place in an arts centre that bears the name of Bernie Grant, the indefatigable Guyanese MP who did so much for Tottenham citizens black and white.
Highlights of the fortnight long event include a talk by the man who campaigned for the Windrush victims, David Lammy MP while Margaret Busby, editor of New Daughters Of Africa, hosts an evening of literature by women of colour that includes Andrea Stuart, Dorothea Smartt and Zadie Smith. The season concludes with a screening live from the National Theatre of the adaptation of Andrea Levy’s award-winning Small Island.
[Kevin Le Gendre]
For details visit www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk