Jamaican poet and memoirist Safiya Sinclair. Black and British author David Olusoga. Trinidadian novelist Celeste Mohammed. Jamaican poet Jason Allen-Paisant.
These award-winning writers and many others will be among more than 30 speakers at the fourth annual BVI Literary Arts Festival next month, organisers announced this week.
Themed “Roots to Routes,” this year’s series will be held from Nov. 7-10 as part of Culture and Tourism Month.
“Our themes are carefully curated each year to foster deep connections among students, the faculty and staff at [HLSCC], our sponsors, collaborating artists, and the wider arts community in the BVI and abroad,” said Safiyah Smith, the chair of the event’s organising committee.
Virgin Gorda
For the first time, the event is expanding to Virgin Gorda, with a “pre-event” kicking off there today, organisers said.
The sister island’s “Literary Wonderland” for children will feature VG-based residents including Jahnai Caul, chef Radiance Modeste, author Chantal Flax-Ward, and Miss VG Easter Festival Allonah Williams.
The festival has also teamed up with HLSCC to host a poetry slam for the HLSCC community and a writing competition for ages 14 and up with cash prizes of $250 in both the youth and adult categories.
