Benjamin Zephaniah Day to honour poet and activist

The poet's wife Qian said the day would celebrate Zephaniah's "remarkable contributions"

Plans have been announced for a Benjamin Zephaniah Day.

The event, organised by London's Brunel University and the wife of the late Birmingham poet, is to honour "remarkable contributions to literature, nature, health, social justice and activism", Qian Zephaniah said.

It will be held at the university's newly named Benjamin Zephaniah Sqauare on 12 April, three days before what would have been his 67th birthday.

The Handsworth-born writer and activist, who died in December after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, was a professor at Brunel.

The university said the day would include "literary and musical performances, martial arts demos, community competitions, charity showcases, celebrity tributes, street food and varied workshops for all ages".

It will end with an evening showcase of the "extraordinary love and talent that surrounded Benjamin", including tributes from Adjoah Andoh, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Hannah Lowe, Daljit Nagra, Michael Rosen and Lemn Sissay.

Organisers said further appearances were still to be announced.

Zephaniah was a professor at Brunel University, which is staging the event

The day is the latest in a series of commemorations of Zephaniah's life.

As well as the unveiling of the square in his name at Brunel, earlier this month, a blue plaque was unveiled in Birmingham.

Next week, the British Academy will mark his contribution at an event called Poetry in Protest.

Looking forward to next April's event, Ms Zephaniah said it would "celebrate Benjamin's life's work, promoting his values of love, peace and unity and inspiring the next generation of change-makers".