'Reading, being with my favourite people or sharing stories about my culture, all make me happy'

Lavie Olupona is an 18-year-old poet from West Cork. A passionate activist, she has been writing since a young age, jotting her words in filched copy books and scraps of paper.

On International Women’s Day 2022, Lavie was invited by TD Holly Cairns to recite her poem Let Our Voices Be Heard at the Dáil. She was also a (group) recipient of the Garda Youth Awards the same year, and last summer an Edna O’Brien Young Writer’s Award winner at the Museum of Literature Ireland.

She has since performed her spoken word poetry at Misleór and at Good Day Cork’s events, i.e Many Tongues of Cork and Young Tongues of Cork.

Tell us about yourself:

Hi! My name is Lavie Olupona and I’m a writer from Clonakilty. I am a Nigerian-Irish Traveller and like to write about this shared identity through my poetry.

From 2021-2022, myself and nine Traveller girls were part of the film collective ‘Wheel of Dreams’ directed by lead artist Toma McCullim in association with West Cork Traveller Centre. Through this, I was invited to the Dáil to share my poem Let our Voices Be heard by TD Holly Cairns.

To date, I was selected along with 14 other teenage writers for the Edna O’Brien Bursary (Young Writers Award), performed at Misleór (Festival of Nomadic Cultures), Many Tongues of Cork, Africa Day Cork, and the Outsiders Club ‘Let The Pen Speak’ events.

Where were you born?

I was born here in beautiful Cork! I may or may not make being from Cork my personality at times.

Where do you live?

I live in Clonakilty, but have moved a lot, from Ballincollig to Bantry... even England at one point!

Family?

Yes! Lots! I have three sisters and two brothers, my mum (who is also a poet!), my dad and step-mum and my nana, who is often the inspiration for my writing.

Best friend?

Oooh, I can’t choose one sole person! My friend Mares is my ‘soul friend’, Willow is my ‘fairy friend’, Jessica is my ‘bestie’, Sarah, who is also a writer, my bursarinos, the lads from school are like my cousins...

I’m gonna have to say my sisters. (And if you’re looking at this, thinking ‘Lavie what about me?!’ YOU are also my best friend).

Earliest childhood memory?

Wearing my nurse’s costume from nana and making my teddies/‘patients’ better some time during Christmas, I remember our tree being up.

I think it was during the big snow fall of 2008 as I remember a wonderland-esque scene outside of the window.

Person you most admire?

My family and the big guy in the sky. Also Rosa Parks.

Where was your most memorable holiday? London, to see family.

Favourite TV programme?

The Simpsons.

Favourite radio show?

I have three... My Life in a Suitcase, Ciara Revin’s on Cork’s RedFM, and anything Radió Na Gaeltachta.

Your signature dish if cooking?

Spaghetti Bolongese (least likely to set the kitchen alight).

Favourite restaurant?

Maya Restaurant in Clon’.

Last book you read?

Yellowface, by R.F.Kaung.

Best book you read?

The Percy Jackson series (That’s ‘one massive’ book, right?) or The Book Thief.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

Ayra Starr’s new song Last Heartbreak Song, on YT Music.

Favourite song?

City On A Hill, by Mon Rovia.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Ayra Starr!

Do you have a pet?

Yes! A goldfish called Cornflakes and a dog.

Morning person or night owl?

Morning person.

Your proudest moment?

When I decided to share my poetry to someone other than family for the first time.

Spendthrift or saver?

A (temporary) saver.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

More youth amenities.

What makes you happy?

Reading, being with my favourite people or sharing stories about my culture, like I got to do for Living Heritage - a radio documentary by Good Day Cork about nature and culture.

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who was authentically themself.

What else are you up to at the moment?

Branching back into writing stories/script writing.