Join Conway Hall Ethical Society for an evening of poetry and prose, and into the world and works of Walt Whitman, America’s ‘poet of democracy’. Author of the revolutionary Song of Myself and considered by some to be America’s first gay icon, Whitman’s radical vision of democracy and universal themes of equality, comradeship, and love inspired, and continue to inspire, freethinkers worldwide.

Book now on the Conway Hall website.

Karen Karbiener, author and professor at New York University, will open the event with her talk Moncure Conway and Walt Whitman, Pilgrim Souls, which will explore the relationship between Whitman and historic leader of the South Place Ethical Society, Moncure Conway, after whom Conway Hall was named. 

Following a thirty-minute interval, theatre company Compagnia de’ Colombari will present London’s first performance of Whitman on Walls! – a new show bringing together over 50 performers from all over the world in a series of films inspired by the words of Whitman. The films will be interspersed with live performances from London-based poets, weaving together film and live recitation into an unforgettable experience.

The line-up of poets includes: Keith Jarrett, Whit Cook, Anna Blasiak, Simona Nastac, Mandisa Apena, Abayomi Folaranmi, and Jacqueline Saphra

Doors open at 18:00.