🇸🇴 ‘Usheeg (Tell them)’ by @ayanmoaden
UniSlam 2024 Grand Final, Team Birmingham.
@uni_slam
Tap the gift icon if this resonates with you 🎁
#eastafricandiaspora #eastafrica #africa #somali #somalipoet #somalia #fy
#poetryslam #poetry #spokenword
As of yesterday on National Poetry Day, I have received the honour of becoming Birminghams Poet Laureate ❤️
It is humbling to be chosen to represent the city that gave me so much, I pray now that I am able to give back.
This position isn’t just for me, it’s for every young person who loved to rhyme in school but was told to stick with STEM.
It’s for every young person writing away in the corners of coffee shops, dreaming one day their words will take them places.
It’s for the wordsmiths and performers who are trying to find a way and refuse no for an answer.
Its for the serial open mic attendees and event enthusiasts who refuse to miss a heartbeat of Birminghams Poetry
This isn’t for me, it’s for you.
Thank you to those who have supported me constantly, your continued support has been half of my journey. I stand on the shoulders of you.
Thank you to @jasminegardosi , rest assured I have massive shoes to fill. Congratulations to the new Young Poet Laureate Japmeh Kaur Gural❤️
Soo my ted talk is finally up👀
✨
There are two times when someone is truly born. Thier birthday. And the day they find out why. 💭
✨
Once you get your why, can you then utilise your time and change your reality. Pave your destiny. And build your legacy🙌🏾 ✨
https://youtu.be/nPWrps6Yu90
Ayan Aden unpacks the power behind the performance — from youth expression to art as resistance ✊🏽🎤
Powerful voices, live music, & raw creativity opened the Unite The People Festival launch.
The Young People’s Lighthouse Project, Simon Duggal and Ayan Aden set the stage on fire 🔥
They danced, sang, with spoken word, music & their exclusive drop ‘The Freedom Song’
Big thanks to:
• The Lighthouse Centre, the incredible young people & Shaid Khan
• Simon Duggal — composer legend
• Haki Kapasi — project vibes creator
🎥 Video: Simran Singh @simran._.singh
📸 Cover photo: Joel @gioele7l
🎬 B-Roll: Irfan Tahir @wntvuk
📷 Stage pics: Kevin Hayes
#UniteThePeople #MACBirmingham #YouthVoices #ArtAsResistance
Unity through music & spoken word.
Young people in the city getting creative with Birmingham Poet Laureate Ayan Aden & music producer Simon Duggal at the Lighthouse YPC in Lozells.
“Unite as one, that’s how we stay strong.”
Catch the live performance + exclusive track ‘Unite the People Freedom Mix’ at the Festival Launch🔥
📍 Midlands Arts Centre | May 2nd | 6PM
#unitethepeople #LighthouseProject #YouthCulture #music #spokenword Video by @simran._.singh
We are so delighted to reveal the absolutely outstanding line up put together by Birmingham Poet Laureate Ayan Aden for this very special event on the last day of our festival, Sunday 19th April 💫
Scroll photos for all the details!
Voices in the Making is a powerful afternoon of poetry, storytelling, and performance rooted in self-expression and community. After a day of creative workshops with Birmingham Poet Laureate Ayan Aden. Joined by guest performers, this event celebrates the act of harnessing our voices – using spoken word and storytelling as tools for empowerment, healing, and connection. Expect an evening of honesty, courage, and creative brilliance from emerging and established voices alike.
Get your tickets at theheathbookshop.co.uk
See you there! ❤️
I AM HOSTING AN EVENT WITH @theheathbookshop MUSIC & LITERATURE FESTIVAL.
I WILL BE JOINED BY PHENOMENOL POETS.
I AM SHARING NEW WORK.
YOU SHOULD GET YOUR TICKETS ASAP
Okay, thank you❤️
#Poetry #Birmingham
We’re expanding the Somalinimo 2026 team.
Comms. Events. Project leads.
If you’re serious about building something meaningful, apply now.
Deadline: 7th April.
Link in bio.
📸: @centauriconsultancy
An exciting opportunity for young people (18-30) to work with some of the best in the industry!
Get creative with Birmingham Poet Laureate Ayan Aden & composer, producer, songwriter Simon Duggal.
If you are interested please get in contact by Thursday 9th April as places are limited.. More info in the flyer.
🎤🎧🎼
⭐️FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT ⭐️
Voices in the Making is a powerful afternoon of poetry, storytelling, and performance rooted in self-expression and community. After a day of creative workshops with Birmingham Poet Laureate Ayan Aden, students will take the stage to share original work exploring identity, heritage, and the stories that shape who we are.
Joined by guest performers, this event celebrates the act of harnessing our voices - using spoken word and storytelling as tools for empowerment, healing, and connection. Expect an evening of honesty, courage, and creative brilliance from emerging and established voices alike.
Ayan Aden is Birmingham’s 24th Poet Laureate (2024–2026), a performance poet, community organiser, and founder of Somalinimo UK—an initiative celebrating Somali heritage through arts and culture. Her work fuses poetry with storytelling, activism, and cultural strategy, and she has performed at Parliament, TEDx, and international festivals. Ayan is passionate about empowering young voices and bridging communities through creative expression. She delivers workshops across the UK, using poetry to explore identity, belonging, and resilience. With a growing presence in the cultural sector, Ayan is building platforms that honour diasporic narratives and reshape the landscape of British poetry.
This event will be BSL interpreted.
Tickets available from .
The programme can be viewed online (see link in our bio) or printed copies are available at The Heath Bookshop.
The Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival is supported by National Lottery Project Grants funding through Arts Council England.
Final chance to apply for First Steps Poetry 🚨
We are looking for 12 young poets aged 16-25 to dive into a lively programme of poetry, storytelling and creative development ✍️
You will be led by @ayanmoaden and @siphoericndlovu through inspiring workshops and masterclasses
Applications close at 10am on Thu 26 Mar!
No previous experience is required - this is a programme for those who love poetry and are curious about how the craft can be reimagined 💭
Find out more 👉 Link in bio
