Who Is Ayan Aden?
Her commitment to communities and connecting people through her poetry is truly inspiring.
Ayan has graced our stage with her passionate, fearless words that bring to life experiences of migration, of oppression, of racism and other inequalities.
Ayan speaks from her heart and soul. If you are privileged to hear her in person, you will tremble and gasp as she recites her spoken words.
Shirin House & Ruchi Tandon
Co-founders of the Poetic Justice collective
Articles
Poets Laureate Announced at Birmingham Literature Festival, as Part of National Poetry Day 2024
One language, a world of poems
Join Birmingham’s Poet Laureate Ayan Aden each day of the festival…
The City That Spoke To Me is a collection of portraits celebrating the rich and inspiring poetry scene in Birmingham….
A converted warehouse staged a community iftar – the breaking of the fast during Ramadan – for nearly 100 people.
Ep 4 Ayan Aden with poetry by Ray Vincent-Mills, and music by Jobe Sullivan & John Stachula
Zephaniah's wife Qian, Birmingham poet laureate Ayan Aden, and Baroness Mary Bousted, former joint general secretary of the National Education Union, attended the BCU building's official opening last week
Birmingham's poet laureate, Ayan Aden, 25, spoke of her own feelings as a Somalian-heritage Muslim raised in the city. She said it was vital that people 'reclaimed their stories' and shared their experiences in 'bold and beautiful' ways.
What people say.
Feedback from our community.
‘ Your performances take me somewhere ive never been but im so familiary to. Seeing you on stage allows me to keep believing in myself’
'Brought me to tears. Twice. You are a teller of truth'
Rayritess
Tumu
‘Like a collective intake of breath- the room pauses, captured, in awe, until you let us go. Amazing! ‘
‘I have never cared for poetry until I heard Ayan perform and I haven't looked back since. Powerful & Inspirational. Best to ever do it.
Savhanna
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She is an articulate voice who celebrates her Somali heritage with pride while engaging thoughtfully with wider social issues, embodying both cultural rootedness and active citizenship in British society.
Jawaahir Daahir MBE
Chair- Global Somali Diaspora
Throughout all my work with Ayan, she has a brilliant professional, incredible poet and a pleasure to work with. Her attitude, commitment and drive is outstanding and I would recommend her to anyone in a heartbeat.
Paul Stringer
Filmmaker & Photographer | Founder of Crate Poetry
Ayan dispels the false rhetoric of immigration and tackles Islamophobia and racism in an innovative way! So talented and so powerful. Well done Ayan I look forward to seeing you again and in the meantime, keep changing hearts and minds
Saba Hussain
EDI Business Partner
