Zakia Sewell - Finding Albion
Join us for an evening of myth, folklore and cultural storytelling asZakia Sewell,writer, DJ and broadcaster, comes to The Bookery to discuss her new book Finding Albion . She will be joined in conversation with Mark Norman, folklorist, founder of The Folklore Podcast and longstanding friend of The Bookery.
InFinding Albion, Zakia uncovers an alternative spirit of Britain that is vividly alive today. It is found in otherworldly folk songs, ancient legends, Celtic seasonal rites and mystic stone circles that punctuate our landscape. Her journey begins as the sun rises on the spring equinox over Glastonbury Tor, where she meets neopagans reclaiming traditions from our pre-Christian past. At summer's peak at Notting Hill Carnival she hears cultural echoes that passed along the slave trade routes from the Caribbean. On All Hallow's Eve she encounters the ghosts of Empire that are still haunting the nation, and in the depths of a Cornish winter she asks if today's new folk revival could unite our increasingly divided country?
Drawing on folk songs, seasonal rites, mystic traditions and cultural echoes encountered along her journey, Zakia invites readers to consider a different kind of national narrativeone grounded in connection, imagination and the possibility of renewal. Her acclaimed Radio 4 series My Albion laid the foundation for this book, weaving together folklore, history, identity and questions of belonging.
Ive been waiting for a book like this Florence Welch
Zakia Sewell has presented on BBC Radio 6 Music, hosted the flagship breakfast show on NTS Radio, and produced documentaries and cultural programmes for BBC Radio 3 and 4, Tate, and Camden Arts Centre. Finding Albion is her first book.
Mark Norman is a council member of the Folklore Society and founding curator of The Folklore Library and Archive. Appointed Recorder of Folklore for the Devonshire Association, Mark is internationally known for The Folklore Podcast, which has received over 2 million downloads
Zakia will discuss Finding Albion, take questions from the audience, and sign books after the event. This event forms part of The Bookerys programme of author talks and cultural events and reflects the bookshops proud support for the National Year of Reading 2026.
InFinding Albion, Zakia uncovers an alternative spirit of Britain that is vividly alive today. It is found in otherworldly folk songs, ancient legends, Celtic seasonal rites and mystic stone circles that punctuate our landscape. Her journey begins as the sun rises on the spring equinox over Glastonbury Tor, where she meets neopagans reclaiming traditions from our pre-Christian past. At summer's peak at Notting Hill Carnival she hears cultural echoes that passed along the slave trade routes from the Caribbean. On All Hallow's Eve she encounters the ghosts of Empire that are still haunting the nation, and in the depths of a Cornish winter she asks if today's new folk revival could unite our increasingly divided country?
Drawing on folk songs, seasonal rites, mystic traditions and cultural echoes encountered along her journey, Zakia invites readers to consider a different kind of national narrativeone grounded in connection, imagination and the possibility of renewal. Her acclaimed Radio 4 series My Albion laid the foundation for this book, weaving together folklore, history, identity and questions of belonging.
Ive been waiting for a book like this Florence Welch
Zakia Sewell has presented on BBC Radio 6 Music, hosted the flagship breakfast show on NTS Radio, and produced documentaries and cultural programmes for BBC Radio 3 and 4, Tate, and Camden Arts Centre. Finding Albion is her first book.
Mark Norman is a council member of the Folklore Society and founding curator of The Folklore Library and Archive. Appointed Recorder of Folklore for the Devonshire Association, Mark is internationally known for The Folklore Podcast, which has received over 2 million downloads
Zakia will discuss Finding Albion, take questions from the audience, and sign books after the event. This event forms part of The Bookerys programme of author talks and cultural events and reflects the bookshops proud support for the National Year of Reading 2026.
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