English PEN hosts a special one-off evening to celebrate the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth. Esteemed guests from the worlds of literature, politics, journalism and activism will come together to perform readings of original letters written by Nelson Mandela during his time in prison, many of which have remained unpublished until now.

Produced and directed by the award-winning Josette Bushell-Mingo, the evening’s stellar line-up will include journalist Gary Younge, poet Jackie Kay, writer and campaigner Zoe Wicomb, Ted Hughes Award-winner Jay Bernard, actor Kwame Kwei-Armah, and composer Errollyn Wallen. 

The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela will be published by Liveright on 10 July 2018. The book’s editor Sahm Venter and Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter, Zamaswazi Dlamini-Mandela, will also be involved in the evening’s celebrations. The letters provide a deeply personal view of Mandela’s imprisonment, painting an intimate portrait of a political activist who was as much a devoted husband, adoring father, dedicated student (studying for a law degree behind bars), and abiding friend.

This event will be BSL interpreted, please contact the Union Chapel with any access requirements.