Some people are born to be creative. Their creativity fosters social cohesion and influences those around them, leaving an impact on the community. Lanre Sonde, originally from Nigeria but now living in Newcastle, is one of those people.
In the beginning, Lanre started out with a few random scribbles and ideas, toying with language and its possibilities. And yet he soon discovered that the more he wrote, the more he wanted to write. Like any investment, Lanre’s efforts compounded, and he is now the author of various poems and the author of the Mellexy series, a collection of three romantic poetry books.
Mellexy
The Mellexy series highlights how we are all beings of love, and we have an infinite capacity to make our world better with the love we have to give. Readers are introduced to a world of lyricism, love and imagery that crosses over between reality and imagination, and Lanre’s work has touched the hearts of readers from the UK, USA, Europe and India, to name but a few. The third book in the collection, Realising Every Dream, is set to be released at the end of October. In Lanre’s own words, it is “a testament of love filled with grace, patience, beauty, and mutual understanding. A place where emotions are alive in words.” Through his work, Lanre invites the reader not just to read but also to feel, hence realising their own dreams of love.
As well as having several publications, Lanre has had his work exhibited in many forms, both in written form and with voice overs, in various places in the North East. His poem Canvas for Freedom deserves a special mention. Apart from being a poem of hope for a better tomorrow, it is of particular significance to Lanre as he was specifically commissioned to write it for Holocaust Memorial Day. It was then featured in an exhibition at Newcastle University to mark Refugee Week. In addition, he has also had exhibitions at Unity Festival 2024 at Newcastle’s Great North Museum and at Kirkleatham Museum in Redcar.
Contributions to different communities
In addition to his publications, Lanre has also worked with Skimstone Arts, a North East charity, whose aim is to promote equality and visibility in the arts. He has worked with people from a wide range of countries and communities, helping them to discover themselves and their talents through poetry, while at the same time providing them with a sense of belonging. In addition to his contributions to the northeast cultural scene, he has also facilitated online workshops in his home country of Nigeria. Notable events include facilitating a workshop for Geneva Peace week and Naija Poetry Fest, the latter being an annual festival aimed at showcasing Nigerian poetry.
As for the future, Lanre hopes his work will allow him to become an agent of cultural change. Through his poetry, he hopes to change how people view life and express themselves, as well as show how strength can be found in diversity and a variety of voices. He views language as a force for good and aims to promote messages of healing, harmony and humanity through his work. With that in mind, Lanre is set to become a poetic force to be reckoned with.
