Talks and poetry celebrate Raphael

As part of the 2012 Community Relations Week, an evening of short talks and poetry readings have been organised to commemorate the life West African medical doctor, poet, essayist and anthropologist, Raphael Armattoe, who lived in Londonderry throughout the 1940s.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th May 2012, 09:15 BST

The Ulster History Circle will also announce its intention to erect a Blue Plaque later this year in honour of Dr Armattoe; the plaque will be erected on the Northland Road building where he lived and worked.

The evening event will take place in the Verbal Arts Centre by Bishop’s Gate on Thursday, May 17, commencing at 7pm.

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Ulster History Circle treasurer Patrick Devlin will open the evening with a discussion on the Blue Plaque Scheme. Local historian Philippa Robinson will follow with a talk about the life and work of Dr Armattoe. Researcher Trevor Temple will put Dr Armattoe’s experience in the context of the contribution of other immigrants and members of immigrant communities to our city down through the years.

To round off the evening; Felicia Okoroji, president of the Igbo Association County Donegal, will read extracts from Dr Armattoe’s books of poetry. Light refreshments will be served.

Admission is free but contributions to defray the cost of the Blue Plaque will be much appreciated.

The evening is being hosted by the Holywell Trust, as part of the DiverseCity Theme of the City Walls Heritage Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.