Lemn Sissay, the official poet of the 2012 London Olympics, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
The writer and broadcaster, who was made an OBE in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to literature and charity, was honored during a ceremony at Guildhall on Friday.
One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and originally enabled recipients to carry out their trade.
He said: “I am over the moon to be awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
“It gives me great joy to be recognized by the great city which I live in, and I love, and which has been such an inspiration to me.
“It all feels like a wonderful dream, or from a storybook.”
Sissay was born in May 1967 to an Ethiopian mother shortly after she moved to England to study.
He was later taken into long-term foster care in Wigan.
Sissay came to national attention in 1988 at the age of 21 with his second book of poetry, Tender Fingers In A Clenched Fist.
In 1995, he made a BBC documentary, Internal Flight, about his life.
His one-man show, Something Dark, was adapted for BBC Radio Three in 2006, winning the UK Commission for Racial Equality’s Race in the Media Award.
Sissay also won the 2019 PEN Pinter Prize and is chancellor of the University of Manchester.
Chairwoman of the City of London Corporation’s culture, heritage and libraries committee, Wendy Hyde, said: “Lemn is an internationally-renowned writer and broadcaster and this award celebrates his compelling contribution to the capital.
“We are delighted to award Lemn his Freedom in recognition of his inspirational work.”
Author: Londontopia Staff
This article was submitted and adapted by Londontopia Staff and used with a license from the Press Association UK (PA Media). All images and content used with permission.
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I was not given up as a baby. I have never said I was given up as a baby. And there are no facts to show I was given up as a baby. I took the government to court to prove I was not given up and that I was stolen from my mother. I have made BBC documentaries about it. I have proved as much. Would you please amend this piece to say as much.
I think you found an article on BBC page dated March 2022 when I received my OBE which says I was given up. This has happened with the BBC website before. I will also have to go to them again, to correct it!!
Many thanks. It has been a wonderful day. All my good wishes
Lemn Sissay
Hi Lemn – I’m very sorry about the error. We got this article from our Press Association wire account, and the error was theirs. I will contact them to let them know. I have updated it here. Again, I’m very sorry! Cheers, Jonathan