In January 2019 we piloted the above project where a group of poets received training from Nicole May, a UK spoken word artist and producer. A four-day workshop in Colombo and two short workshops at the Galle Literary Festival were organized. The poetry and performance workshops explored the themes of the human condition, identity, belonging and examined different poetic forms culminating in informal sharing.
Nicole has performed and taught spoken word nationally and internationally. As Director of Young Identity, a highly successful creative writing and performance organization she has worked and performed alongside writers such as: Amiri Baraka, Saul Williams, Kei Miller, Jean 'Blinta' Breeze, Lemn Sissay, Mo Brown, Jive Poetic, Zena Edwards, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Kate Tempest.
This initiative sought to build the capacity of emerging spoken word performance poets in Sri Lanka while supporting the creation of safe spaces for thought-provoking content, to promote dialogue and understanding, and connect with each other through creativity within communities.