An Evening of Poetry, Reflection and Remembrance
Join us at Coventry Cathedral for poetry, reflection & the launch of Remembrance on Partition Commemoration Day.
Date and time
Location
Coventry Cathedral
Priory Street Coventry CV1 5AB United KingdomAbout this event
- Event lasts 2 hours 30 minutes
Launch of the Remembrance Anthology
Join us at Coventry Cathedral on Partition Commemoration Day for the official launch of Remembrance – the second poetry anthology from Third Space, a platform for South Asian voices founded by Suman Gujral in 2024. This special evening of poetry, memory, and reflection is held in partnership with South Asian Heritage Month, and supported by Together for Hope.
About the South Asian Heritage Trust (SAHT):
The South Asian Heritage Trust is a registered charity (No. 1191918) dedicated to celebrating, commemorating, and educating about South Asian cultures and histories in the UK. SAHT builds understanding and belonging through storytelling, arts, and heritage.
At the heart of our work is South Asian Heritage Month (18 July – 17 August) – the UK’s first national awareness month dedicated to South Asian communities. Entirely volunteer-led, it now reaches thousands across the UK through events, exhibitions, and stories shared both online and in local communities.
This year’s theme is “Roots to Routes”, exploring how our heritage shapes the journeys we take – in identity, migration, and belonging.
Get involved:
- Check out events happening across the country: Events List - South Asian Heritage Trust
- Share your own story or event via our website: South Asian Heritage Month
Let’s make this month a powerful celebration of who we are and where we’re going.
A Special Welcome Ceremony: SAHM joins Together for Hope
We are honoured to announce that South Asian Heritage Month is officially joining the Together for Hope network – Coventry Cathedral’s global partnership committed to peace, reconciliation, and justice.
This short welcome ceremony (approx. 20–30 minutes) will open the evening and reflect on the shared commitment to:
- Healing the wounds of history
- Celebrating diversity and living with difference
- Building a culture of peace across communities
Meet the Poets: Voices of Heritage and Art
We are honoured to feature four remarkable poets who bring their lived experiences and powerful perspectives to the stage:
Suman Gujral A multidisciplinary artist and the founder of Third Space, Suman’s work is profoundly shaped by her parents’ displacement during the 1947 Partition of India. She channels conversations with her mother, Trilochan Kaur, into poetry that explores the intergenerational impact of Partition, the ongoing cycle of displacement, and how we stay connected to our heritage through art. Her readings at prestigious venues demonstrate her powerful voice on identity and belonging, and she also serves as literary lead for South Asian Heritage Month.
Koushik Banerjea From a background in youth work focused on social inclusion to a career as a journalist and author, Koushik brings a unique breadth of experience to his writing. He is celebrated for his moving poems and novels, using his craft to delve into complex social issues and personal narratives. His work invites deep reflection on the human experience, particularly through the lens of identity and belonging.
Rishika Williams Rishika’s long-form narrative poetry emerged after lockdown, centring on crucial themes of gender-based violence, Partition, and activism in Sindh. Her unique voice has been recognized through shortlistings for prestigious awards, showcasing her powerful explorations of challenging histories and the fight for justice through art.
Naila Dunleavy As an integrative therapist, writer, and artist, Naila brings a deeply empathetic and insightful perspective to her work. She explores profound themes of identity, migration, displacement, and individual, ancestral, and collective trauma, particularly focusing on women’s issues, autonomy, faith, and culture. Her powerful performances, including at the Royal Albert Hall, demonstrate her ability to connect with audiences on a profound level, sharing stories that resonate with the migrant experience.
You can find more of her work on Instagram at @migrantwomenhistories.
We want to thank Renard Press for the generous support ing publishing both Third Space anthologies. Learn more about them: www.renardpress.com
This is more than just a poetry night. It’s an evening of reflection, remembrance, and connection — as South Asian Heritage Month is formally welcomed into Together for Hope at Coventry Cathedral. Through powerful performances and meaningful conversation, we’ll honour where we’ve come from and courageously imagine where we’re going.
Whether you’re a poetry lover, a curious ally, or someone seeking space for connection and meaning, you’re warmly invited.Come join us — for poetry, conversation, and a moment of shared remembrance.
Organised by
South Asian Heritage Trust (SAHT) seeks to elevate the prominence of British South Asian history and heritage in the UK through education, arts, culture, celebration and commemoration.