Kat Lyons announced as new Bristol City Poet

Kat Lyons was announced today as the next Bristol City Poet, following in the footsteps of Caleb Parkin, Vanessa Kisuule, and Miles Chambers. 

The announcement was made by Bristol Ideas' Zoe Steadman-Milne on BBC Radio Bristol. Kat will hold the role from 2022-2024. Kat is a writer, performer and workshop facilitator working in the field of spoken word poetry and performance storytelling. They use poetry to interrogate ideas, generate positive social change and strengthen people's connections to the world and each other. Their poetry has been featured in Under the Radar, Ink Sweat & Tears and Bath Magg, and their debut poetry collection, Love Beneath the Nails, was published this year by Verve Poetry Press. 

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol said: “I’m delighted to see Kat Lyons take up the mantle of City Poet, building on the passion and creativity that Caleb Parkin has brought to the role over the past two years, like Vanessa Kisuule and Miles Chambers before him. Our City Poets capture Bristol’s spirit and soul, celebrating and challenging in equal measure. With Kat’s background in performance and arts, I look forward to seeing them bring nuance and imagination to help continue to tell the fullness of our city’s story.”

Traditionally – and in line with the national Poet Laureate objectives – the City Poet taps into public opinion and acts as a communicator of local views. They can become the conscience of the public and can also reflect on what makes the city tick. What they convey through their poetry and creative writing can provide important insights onto contemporary events and feelings, not all of which may make for comfortable reading.

The role includes 10 formal commissions to be written over the next two years, along
engaging local communities and young people with poetry.

Caleb Parkin, City Poet 2020-2022 said: “Being Bristol City Poet has given me the chance to deepen my knowledge of and love for this City in all its sparkly, messy glory. I've explored archives, primary schools and got to perform under a moon in the cathedral. It's led me to build relationships with new organisations and make new connections – as well as to find creative ways to write about things I might not usually have addressed. I hope that my poems reflect the dynamics of the last two years' strifes and delights."

"The first and last poems are about parties, in very different ways – I had no idea how
significant parties would become when I set out! But hope these poems provide a vivid lens on 2020–2022 ("May you live in interesting times" indeed) and in a way which is uniquely my own, while reaching the people of Bristol and representing us to the world."

"Kat is going to do a cracking job as the new City Poet. They're a great writer who'll
approach the next couple of years with both care and flair. I can't wait to see what they create for you."

Kat Lyons, City Poet 2022-24 said: “I’m amazed and delighted to be offered the opportunity to be Bristol City Poet. I’ve loved what all the previous poets have brought to the role and it’s a huge honour to step into their shoes. When we tell the story of a city it’s often only the loudest voices which are heard, but Bristol is built on a multitude of smaller struggles and triumphs. I’m looking forward to discovering these ordinary stories, the legacies left by different generations and exploring what we want the city to become. Poetry should be open to anyone to explore and enjoy, to share their experiences and see themselves reflected. I hope to use my time in this role to encourage playfulness and connection, reignite a sense of wonder in our everyday lives, and positively reimagine our world.”

The role is a collaboration between Bristol City Office and Bristol Ideas. 

“The field for the new City Poet was incredibly competitive, with 25 high-quality
applications from some of Bristol's most exciting writers. We were extremely pleased with the overall level of the applications, and the decision process was especially difficult with so many amazing candidates. Even in such a strong field, Kat's application distinguished itself. The panel were all impressed by Kat’s vivid and accessible writing, excellent performance of their work and their thoughtful responses to how poetry can have an impact on us all. We all look forward to what Kat will do with the role over the next two years”  - Zoe Steadman-Milne, Creative Content Producer, Bristol Ideas. 

Kat will take over from current City Poet Caleb Parkin. As City Poet, Caleb has written and performed poems for a wide range of organisations and occasions including this year’s Jubilee, two State of the City Addresses, Bristol Remembers (the first anniversary of the pandemic lockdown), the Museum of the Moon at Bristol Cathedral and Bristol Zoo Gardens. He has recently run workshops at Christ the King Primary in Knowle West and with Bristol Refugee Rights.

A formal handover event from Caleb Parkin to Kat Lyons will take place in the autumn.