Raise the Bar: Poems of Diaspora!

Part of DIASPORA! 2026

Raise the Bar presents Poems of Diaspora! Featuring four incredible poets, representing four different continents: Daljit Nagra, Maureen Onwunali, Bohdan Piasecki and Chloe Tenesha. Plus our resident DJ spinning tunes from across the world.

Raise the Bar’s Spring quarterly show at Arnolfini is presented as part of DIASPORA! 2026. Expect another dynamic, thought-provoking and life-affirming night from the South West’s leading live poetry night. Thurs 7th May 2026 19:30 - 21:30 (includes interval) Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA £8 (£6 concessions, £10 solidarity)

⭐ DALJIT NAGRA ⭐

Daljit Nagra is a poet, Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel University, radio presenter of the weekly Poetry Extra on Radio 4 Extra, and former Chair of the Royal Society of Literature. He has written five poetry collections, all with Faber & Faber, and has won the Forward Prize for Best Individual Poem and Best First Book, been shortlisted for the Costa Prize and twice for the TS Eliot Prize. He was the inaugural Poet-in-Residence for Radio 4 & 4 Extra in 2015. His new collection, Yiewsley, is forthcoming with Faber in May 2026.

Daljit was born in London to Sikh parents from Punjab, India. His parents were labourers in West London, and when he was 16 years of age, he moved to Sheffield where his parents ran a convenience store. Daljit discovered poetry in his late teens and studied A Levels at evening classes before studying English at university.

⭐ MAUREEN ONWUNALI ⭐

Maureen Onwunali is a Dublin-born Nigerian poet and a two-time national slam champion. Her work has been featured by various musicians, radio shows and organisations, including BFI, Pearson, Penguin, BBC Radio London, Roundhouse, TEDx, Apples and Snakes, and the Poetry Society.

⭐ BOHDAN PIASECKI ⭐

Bohdan Piasecki is a poet from Poland based in Birmingham. A committed performer, he has taken his poems from the upstairs room in an Eastbourne pub to the main stage of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, from underground Tokyo clubs to tramways in Paris, from a bookshop in Beijing to an airfield in Germany, from niche podcasts to BBC Radio. He enjoys the creative chaos of big field festivals just as much as the composed concentration of literary events. Bohdan was awarded the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem: Performed in 2023, the category’s inaugural year.

Bohdan founded the first poetry slam in Poland before moving to the UK to get a doctorate in translation studies. He has worked as Director of Education on the Spoken Word in Education MA course at Goldsmiths University, and was the Midlands Producer for Apples and Snakes between 2010 and 2017. He is Assistant Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham. He also works as Creative Producer, and sits on the board of the Poetry Translation Centre.

⭐ CHLOE TENESHA ⭐

Chloe Tenesha is a poet from Bristol, based in London, and of Caribbean descent.Reflective and lyrical, she believes in poetry as a conduit for social change, self expression, and connection with our deeper selves, and others. Her poetry touches on themes of faith, identity, nature, and social justice.

⭐ RAISE THE BAR ⭐

Raise the Bar is South West England’s leading live poetry night, showcasing national and international poetry alongside local talent for over 10 years. As an artist development platform, Raise the Bar also runs open mics, workshops and writing retreats for poets and writers.

“One of my absolute favourite poetry nights” - Hollie McNish

"One of the best poetry nights in the country" – Rafeef Ziadah

“Raise the Bar is one of the most professionally run and dynamically curated events in the country, poetry or otherwise” - Harry Baker

⭐ DIASPORA! ⭐

DIASPORA! is back - the landmark, not-for-profit festival celebrating cultural diversity through the arts. Presented by the Diverse Artists Network from 1–10 May, this vibrant multi-venue event showcases the variety of talent reflected in our region’s underrepresented cultural communities. Find out more at diverseartistsnetwork.com or follow @diverseartistsnetwork in all the usual places.

♿ ACCESSIBILITY / SAFEGUARDING ♿

Our events aim to be as safe, inclusive, accessible and welcoming as possible.

The venue is wheelchair accessible and has accessible toilets. For full venue accessibility information see https://arnolfini.org.uk/plan-your-visit/accessibility/

⚠ CONTENT WARNING ⚠

Poetry events include performers sharing personal accounts which you may relate to in some way. This may include content that is potentially upsetting or triggering. We provide a general content warning at the beginning of each event.

SAFE SPACE

Raise the Bar has a zero tolerance policy towards hate, discrimination and abuse of any kind. Our staff team will work together to ensure the space is respectful and welcoming at all times.

Entry requirements: 16+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio — Read more — Read less