RESPECT & DIGNITY ARTS X YOUNG IDENTITY PRESENT

Rooted in Community.

Rising Through Creativity.

Shaped by Young Voices.

18th September - 20th September

THE FESTIVAL

Rooted in Pendle, the festival celebrates the people, places, stories, and cultures that shape who we are. It’s a creative platform where young people stand alongside established poets and performers to tell their stories, imagine new possibilities, and celebrate the communities they call home.

We believe poetry, spoken word, music, and performance have the power to connect people, spark conversation, and inspire change. Through workshops, live performances, and shared creative experiences, Rooted & Rising creates opportunities for young voices to be heard, new talent to flourish, and communities to come together.

As our young people rise, so do our communities. By investing in creativity, collaboration, and authentic storytelling, we’re building a festival that celebrates where we’ve come from while imagining where we can go next.

SCHEDULE

Fri 18th sep

Time:

6:00PM - 8:30PM

Venue:

CRUCK BARN, PENDLE HERITAGE CENTRE, BB9 6JQ

Suhaiyma Manzoor-Khan, Amina Atiq, Faheezal Taiwo, Verse & Vibe Collective

Kick off the Rooted & Rising Festival with an inspiring all-women line-up celebrating identity, heritage, and social justice. Headlined by acclaimed poets Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan and Amina Atiq alongside Faheezal Taiwo, the night explores the transformative power of women's voices. The evening also features the debut performance of the emerging all-girls Verse & Vibe Collective.

BOOK TICKET

Sat 19th sep

Time:

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Venue:

UNITY WELLBEING CENTRE, VERNON STREET, NELSON BB9 9DE

Suhaiyma Manzoor-Khan

Join acclaimed poet Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan for a welcoming, women-only workshop exploring home, memory, and local belonging. Participants of all experience levels will use creative prompts to reflect on community and co-create a collective poem. The finished piece will later be exhibited and printed on wearable apparel by a local grassroots fashion brand.

BOOK TICKET

Time:

1:00 pM - 3:00 PM

Venue:

victoria park pavilion community hub & cafe, Carr road, bb9 7ss

Nick Farrimond and R&D Creative Writers Collective

Immerse yourself in a relaxed, café-style afternoon where live poetry, soulful music, and community come together. DJ Nick Farrimond curates an eclectic soundtrack of folk, pop oddities, and global sounds to set the atmosphere. Emerging voices from the R&D Creative Writers and guest poets will share the stage for an uplifting session of spoken word.

BOOK TICKET

Time:

5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Venue:

THE ALBERT ROOM, COLNE MUNI THEATRE, ALBERT ROAD, BB8 0AE

Reece Williams and R&D Creative Writers Collective

Celebrate the launch of a powerful new spoken word anthology created by the young R&D Creative Writers in partnership with Young Identity. The evening showcases original performances exploring hope, equality, and a collective vision for a better future. Renowned spoken word artist Reece Irwin Williams also joins the stage for a special headline guest performance.

BOOK TICKET

SUN 20th sep

Time:

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Venue:

UNITY WELLBEING CENTRE, VERNON STREET, NELSON BB9 9DE

Junayd Islam

Step into a pivotal moment in history with the first episode of actor-poet Junayd Islam’s theatrical series. Through a dynamic blend of storytelling and verse, the performance explores the profound historical and spiritual beginnings of Islam during the month of Ramadan. Audiences of all backgrounds are invited to experience this compelling narrative of revelation and transformation.

BOOK TICKET

Time:

3:30 pM - 5:00 PM

Venue:

The Garage, Northlight, Glenway, brierfield, BB9 5NH

Junayd Islam

Actor-poet Junayd Islam presents an evocative evening of one-man plays, folklore, and original verse exploring the theme of transformation. The programme features the epic fantasy Buaidh Dabhaidh alongside The Lavender Seed, a lyrical tale of an orphaned shepherd confronting a miserly Lord. Rich Arab folktales and reflective poetry round out a night of classic drama and imaginative storytelling.

BOOK TICKET

Time:

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Venue:

Muni theatre Colne, Albert Road BB8 0AE

Young Identity Poets and R&D Creative Writers

Close out the festival with a dynamic evening uniting established stage talent with the next generation of creative voices. Acclaimed artists SAF-S2E, Esther Koch, Jack So, and Nasima Bee bring their unique energy to the festival stage. The night also features live spoken word and exclusive poetry short film screenings by the young R&D Creative Writers.

BOOK TICKET

THE ARTISTS

R&D Creative writers collective

Her Verse - Her vibe collective

REECE WILLIAMS

Junayd Islam

Suhaiymah manzoor-khan

Faheezal taiwo

Amina Atiq

NICK FARRIMOND

Shirley May

SAF-S2e

Esther Koch

Nasima Bee

Jack So

Zara Saghir

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