Loss takes many forms – from losing a precious watch to the loss of an important relationship. Loss comes, too, in a spectrum of experiences: the shattering death of a loved one, the loss of a country you’ve had to leave, the loss of a job you enjoyed – right down to the mundane annoyance of losing your phone. In remembering losses, we draw comfort – and in the case of the two World Wars, we also remind ourselves, ‘Never again.’

Grief is one of western society’s last taboos. Many people feel comfortable sharing intimate details of their lives on social media, but risk becoming isolated during grief. However, from Jamaica to Yorkshire, different communities have had diverse attitudes to death and mourning. This event is a passionate collaboration between Commonword, Slate and Magma, which gives us a window into the ways that we deal with loss and the way we remember.

Remembrance can be equally as personal, as intimate, as our grief, but often gives us a way out. From the letter written to a loved one who can never read it, to the medal of valour never worn but awarded and given pride of place posthumously, remembrance gives us a connection to the past and to the beyond.

Loss & Remembrance will celebrate the past, memorialise the lost and look to the future with poems that are beautiful, moving and very much alive. Magma 75: The Loss Issue will also be on-sale.

The line-up includes:

• Khadijah Ibrahiim (host and Magma 75 contributor)
• Warda Yassin (Magma 75 contributor)
• Barsa Ray (Magma 75 contributor)
• Seni Seneviratne (special guest, launching her collection Unknown Soldier)
• Sai Murray (special guest, reading poems about David Oluwale)

Supported by Magma Poetry, the poetry magazine with a different editor every issue; Slate : Black · Arts · World, an Eclipse movement; and Commonword, Manchester’s literature development organisation.

Books and magazines will be available for signing.