Epigram • 22nd June 2026

Arts News: Rising Arts Agency appoints new youth co-directors

In a time where the job market for graduates is the worst it's ever been, Bristol based Rising Arts Agency have placed youths at the centre by announcing their new co-directors: Ellayah May Woodward Lindsey and Mitoshka Alkova. The appointment on June 17th marked the creative agency's ten year anniversary. By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist 25/26Rising Arts Agency is a Bristol based social enterprise run by young creatives. They advocate for 'sector and cultural change through research projec...

Epigram • 9th June 2026

The power of poetry at Lyra poetry festival

The opening event for this years Lyra poetry festival was a panel on the power of poetry. Hosted by the festival's co-founder, Lucy English, the panel consisted of poets Joelle Taylor, Georgie Jones, Bertel Martin and Vanessa Kisuule.By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist 25/26Perhaps the most crucial question discussed was why are we still turning to poetry?’. Joelle described poetry as an ‘urgent’ practise and ‘constant witness’ which allows us to ‘explore empathy’ while simultaneously providin...

Epigram • 11th April 2026

Is poetry a dying form?

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist, 25/26In honour of World Poetry Day in March alongside people increasingly reaching for screens, poetry has had to compete for our attention in a fast moving world. As a poetry lover myself, I began to wonder if it still has a space in student's lives? It's a tale as old as time that many of us were traumatised by poetry at GCSE and A level and may struggle to read a poem without subconsciously analysing it. However, it's an incredible art form and should st...

Epigram • 10th March 2026

‘My adoption was both nothing and everything’: In conversation with Luke Wright

In the midst of his 4 week long performance run, I interviewed Luke Wright about his early career, adoption and latest book, Later Life Letters and watched him perform at Bristol’s Wardrobe Theatre. Luke Wright is an award winning writer, poet and performer who has curated, performed and toured 15 solo shows alongside 3 plays and various poetry collections.Having recently found my dad's birth family and experiencing such joy at getting to know and connect with a new but somehow familiar group of...

Epigram • 19th February 2026

The war on culture: Ukrainian literature four years on

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist, 25/26As the four year anniversary of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine looms, I have compiled a list of accessible Ukrainian books to encourage you to educate yourself and continue supporting the country's language, culture and heart. We must protect the Ukrainian language and culture at all costs in this time of dire need as Russia attempts to erase them.Being half Ukrainian myself, I have seen first hand Russia's destruction of Ukraine and its cultu...

Epigram • 26th January 2026

Dog-Eat-Dog Theatre: student theatre spotlight series

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26As part of our student theatre company spotlight series I spoke to Montague Austin, the Co-Founder of Dog-Eat-Dog Theatre company about its conception and unique approach.Montague began by explaining that the company was created ‘out of necessity,’ following his idea for a supernatural thriller. He stated that this project ‘really resonated’ with him and he knew immediately that he ‘had to get it on stage one way or another.’ However, when proposing the...

Epigram • 7th January 2026

New year, new reading goal: Fable VS Goodreads

Now we have entered the new year, many of us will have made the new years resolution to read more, specifically for pleasure, which means setting a new reading goal to keep us on track. Goodreads has been the cult favourite reading log app but with a new app, Fable, on the block, which app is better? I have researched online as well as talking to friends to find the consensus.By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist 25/26I'll begin with the cult classic. Goodreads is by far the largest and most fam...

Epigram • 1st December 2025

Literature lover's gift guide

We all know a book lover or two we need to get presents for this time of year. Instead of just gifting the classic book, why not buy something a little more unique that the literature lover in your life is sure to love and help prevent their bookshelf from overflowing! By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26As a book lover myself, I adore receiving books as presents however I often end up with a huge pile to add to my never ending to be read pile. As much as I love being gifted books, there...

Epigram • 23rd November 2025

Clifton Literature Festival

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26In it's sixth year of running and with over 60 volunteers this year alone it is safe to say that Clifton's Literature Festival is thriving. I attended three events this year: Childless by choice, Trig Point poetry and Celebrating Bristol's distinguished writers. Each one carefully dotted around the particularly lively Clifton village. Childless by choice-Helen Taylor-The Clifton ClubPlaced in the beautifully grand Clifton Club, I walked up the stairs to...

Epigram • 17th November 2025

Deep Cut Theatre: Student theatre spotlight series

By Alex Boersma, Third Year, Literature ColumnistI spoke to Finlay Cooper, Creative Director of Deep Cut Theatre, a new student theatre company in Bristol about how and why they started their company and how it is different to other student theatre companies in Bristol.I have known Finlay for a couple of years and his love of theatre and music has remained consistent, so his new venture creating a musical theatre company makes him the perfect man for the job. As well as being a ‘massive musical...

Epigram • 2nd November 2025

What's on? Arts edition

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist and Amelia McCabe, Deputy Arts Editor 25/26Bristol is always filled with upcoming arts events so we thought we would highlight some of the most exciting upcoming events that you can attend. These range from free to paid events spanning exhibitions to book festivals. Make sure to check out epitome in the print edition for some more events in the city!Indie author book fair-Saturday 8th November 11am-4pm , Sparks Bristol in city centre, FREE This accessible bo...

Epigram • 1st November 2025

In conversation with Dr Lily Dunn: Memoir as transformation

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26Prior to Gloucester Road bookshop's event celebrating her new book: Into Being: The radical craft of memoir and its power to transform, I interviewed author, journalist and teacher Dr Lily Dunn. The evening's conversation alongside fellow memoirist Marianne Brooker's questions followed Dunn's journalistic past, affinity with memoir and its power to heal and transform alongside her advice to budding writers.Dr Lily Dunn is a writer, editor and teacher at...

Epigram • 23rd October 2025

Bristol's ghost stories: from their origins to tales from the city

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26We have all watched at least one movie featuring teenagers and children huddled together by torch light telling ghost stories to scare each other. Some of us may even have recreated this with our own friends and tried to out scare each other. Despite not having so much of the childlike imagination we once had, ghost stories remain fascinating and perfect to share this time of year. But how did this tradition begin and what ghost stories does Bristol hol...

Epigram • 5th October 2025

Lucy Rose on debut novel 'The Lamb', in conversation with Bristol lecturer Joan Passey

Lucy Rose’s debut novel The Lamb is filled with cannibalism, queerness and vivid storytelling. What’s not to love? And what better place to gather and discuss than the dimly lit cavernous interior of the Loco Klub? The literature columnists attended Max Minerva's event and joined Bristol alumni Lucy Rose, Cumbrian born award winning author, director and filmmaker, and lecturer Joan Passey as they discussed Rose’s debut novel, The Lamb, published earlier this year. The coming of age novel explore...

Epigram • 14th September 2025

Fresh reads for freshers: A freshers' guide to Bristol's book clubs

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26For bookworm freshers or just those who want to broaden their bookish horizons, here's a little guide to book clubs around Bristol. There are a couple of student-run society book clubs, but also some external book clubs if you want to engage with the wider community or just keep an eye out for books you'd like to tick off that never-ending to be read list!Student-led book clubsComparative literatures and cultures society book club:The society’s presiden...

Epigram • 8th September 2025

Trade pre-reading for these autumnal classics

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist 25/26While some find the transition from summer to winter grim, I often find so much beauty during the autumnal months. From falling leaves to cosying up with a good book, ideally in a book nook by a crackling fire. If only student accommodation had armchairs and fireplaces! Here are my recommendations for a cosy autumn read to take a break from studying and revert to reading for pleasure!Although I'm sure you've heard of it, you may not have got round to re...

Epigram • 31st August 2025

In conversation with Cecelia Koç: President of Comparative Literatures and Cultures society

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist 25/26Alex Boersma talks to Cecelia Koç, third year student and president of the comparative literatures and cultures society, about her experience studying and engaging with comparative literatures and cultures at the University of Bristol.I first met Cece through a mutual friend while hanging out at their shared flat, then went on to watch her direction of the University of Bristol's Opera society of Don Giovanni: I was left in awe at her many interests an...