Lemn Sissay: A Child of the State
Literature has long been fascinated with fostered, adopted and orphaned children, from Moses to Cinderella to Oliver Twist to Harry Potter. So why do many parentless children feel compelled to hide their pasts? Poet and playwright Lemn Sissay tells his own moving story.
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ABOUT Lemn Sissay
“Lemn Sissay wears many hats as a writer and performer. The author of five poetry collections, Sissay’s poems dot the London landscape and are etched into major landmarks, from the site of the 2012 Summer Olympics to The Royal Festival Hall.
In 2006, Desmond Tutu unveiled his sculpture poem “Gilt of Cain,” located near Fenchurch Street Station. Currently an Associate artist at Southbank Centre and patron of the ‘Letterbox Club’, he was named the official poet of the London 2012 Olympics.
His poetry art has also been displayed at The Royal Academy. He is perhaps best known for his work for the BBC, which shines a spotlight on his upbringing as a foster child in the UK. In 1995, he shared his story in the BBC documentary ‘Internal Flight’ and his BBC radio documentary ‘Child of the State’ was nominated for a 2010 Sony Award. His play, ‘Something Dark’ charts his quest to find his family. After a long search, he located his birth mother in Gambia and has since come to know the rest of his family.”
The VIDEO
