25.02.03: Internationally renowned poets peform in York
The event is part of the council's Read Write York initiative to promote literature in the city through links with local writers.
Jack Mapanje is Malawian by birth, but now lives in New Earswick. An international poet of some repute, he worked at both the University of Malawi and University College, London, before publishing his collection of poems 'of Chameleons and Gods', which received the Rotterdam International Poetry Award in 1988.
Mapanje was arrested soon after his book was banned in Malawi. He was detained without charge of trial for almost four years. Though the Malawi government did not issue a statement about Jack Mapanje's detention, it was thought that his political writing had angered the then Malawian dictator, Hastings Banda.
Mapanje's release became an international mission and he was finally freed in May 1991.
Other readers at the Friargate event include Antony Dunn, also from York, Paul Farley,who was recently awarded the Whitbread Prize for Poetry and Jo Shapcott, who was made CBE in the New Year's Honours List in recognition of her services to poetry.
All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Malawi Healthcare UK charity and His Excellency the High commissioner for Malawi, Bright Msaka, will be attending the event in his official capacity.
David Cooper, literature, development officer, City of York Council, said: "We are absolutely delighted that these four high-profile poets have agreed to read in York as it demonstrates the city's potential to become a real literary centre. It is rare to get four celebrated writers - all with different styles and voices - on the same platform on the same night, with the uniqueness of this event already being reflected in the ticket sales."
Tickets are available from the Riding Lights Theatre Company lo-call box office on 0845 9613000 priced at £7.50, £5.00 for concessions. Tickets for the 6.30pm performance are already sold out, but there are still some places left for the 8.45pm readings.
