Guest lectures
Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
In partnership with the Centre for Culture and Humanities we are proud to present an exciting double bill.
Experience a moving one-woman performance which brings to life the hidden family narrative of poet-artist Seni Seneviratne. Recounting and imagining her father's experiences as a Royal Signalman in the North African Desert War produced by Renaissance One.
The David Oluwale Memorial Association then presents their annual lecture: Could there be another David Oluwale? Lord Victor Adebowale, with a lifetime experience in the social sector, argues that the ‘Oluwale issues’ still have not been fully addressed.
Renaissance One presents Seni Seneviratne: Unknown Soldier
At the heart of the story is a photo album, the only surviving record of a friendship between two signalmen. One Seni's father, a young man from colonial Ceylon, the other an unknown photographer; two men finding a connection through mutual support, respect and a love of photography. It explores her father’s return from the war, his marriage to a Yorkshire woman and family life in Leeds.
The show is based on poetry collection Unknown Soldier (Peepal Tree, 2019) by Seni Seneviratne and it forms part of the Unknown Soldier Tour 2023. It has been created with direction consultancy by Amanda Huxtable, filming and editing by Gavin Repton, image and sound design by James Waring, curation support by Melanie Abrahams, film and voice recordings by Rav Sanghera and Simon Marshall and production by Renaissance One.
The David Oluwale Memorial Association (DOMA) presents: The DOMA Annual Lecture - Could there be another David Oluwale?
This event will challenge conventional thinking about homelessness, which too often fails to examine the housing situations of black and brown people. Lord Victor Adebowale’s lecture will explore the meaning of ‘homelessness’, some prefer to think of this as ‘being unhoused’, and discuss the impact of ethnic difference. Lord Victor will elaborate on his memorable contribution to the BBC radio documentary titled "Remember Oluwale" said: “In every one of our major cities you would find a David Oluwale.”
A panel will respond to Lord Victor’s talk and speak about their own organisation’s work on the 'Oluwale issues'. The panel includes Arfan Hanif, CEO of Touchstone, PAFRAS, Simon on the Streets and Leeds City Council’s homelessness team.
| 17:30 |
Registration for Renaissance One presents Seni Seneviratne: Unknown Soldier Rose Bowl level four |
| 18:00-19:00 |
Renaissance One presents Seni Seneviratne: Unknown Soldier Rose Bowl Lecture Theatre B |
| 19:00-19:30 |
Registration from the David Oluwale Memorial Association, The DOMA Annual Lecture - Could there be another David Oluwale? Drinks reception and networking Rose Bowl level four |
| 19:30-21:00 |
The David Oluwale Memorial Association presents: The DOMA Annual Lecture - Could there be another David Oluwale? Rose Bowl Lecture Theatre C |
Seni Seneviratne is a poet, performer and creative artist born and raised in Leeds of English and Sri Lankan heritage. Her poetry is published in the UK, Denmark, Canada and South Africa. Seni’s first collection, Wild Cinnamon Winter Skin (Peepal Tree Press) offered a poetic landscape echoing themes of migration, family, love and loss and reflecting her personal journey as a woman of mixed heritage. One of the poems from this collection was highly commended by the judges in the Forward Poetry Prize 2007. The collection was praised by Professor Ramey (California State University, Los Angeles) as “a virtual master class between covers which represents two decades of commitment to poetic craft…" The poet’s vision is given over with consistent generosity and empathy towards the human spirit, to a glorious populace of individuals."
Victor Olufemi Adebowale, Baron Adebowale, is the former Chief Executive of the social care enterprise Turning Point. Currently Chair of the NHS Confederation, he received a CBE in 2000 for services to the New Deal, the unemployed, and homeless young people.
