The Cultural Heritage of BSL: History and Poetry, past and present.

Join us at Manchester Poetry Library to celebrate the cultures and heritage of BSL as part of Manchester British Sign Language Fest 2024 .

Come to find out more about the cultural heritage of BSL or to share your thoughts about a BSL poetry collection at Manchester Poetry Library!

Performance by BSL Poet Laureate Kabir Kapoor
Presentation: ‘1792 and the Boom of Modern BSL’, Peter Brown (City Lit)
Introduction: Early Histories of Sign Language in the UK, Rosamund Oates (MMU)
Discussion: A future BSL poetry collection at Mancheter Poetry Library?
Poetry: The first BSL poet laureate, Kabir Kapoor, will be performing his signed poetry which can be enjoyed by everyone.

History: Deaf historian Peter Brown of City Literature in London will give a presentation on ‘1792 and the Boom of Modern BSL’.

Rosamund Oates (Manchester Met University) will share some of her research into deafness before 1760.

Event open to everyone. This event will be in British Sign Language and English, with interpreters for both. Wheelchair accessible, refreshments available. For other access requirements, please email poetrylibrary@mmu.ac.uk or call 0161 247 6106 and we’ll be happy to support you.

Supported by the British Academy and Race, Genders and Sexualities Research Group, MMU