Friday, August 8, 2008

Nature Island Book Fair and Literary Festival

The Festival starts today o8.08. 08, lucky date if you ask me and the same date as the olympic games. I'm looking forward to see D/ca finally bring home an olympic medal through our two hopefuls (Chris and Ericson), even if i just see them race it will be something spectacular.

Tomorrow is the day that I will be performing three of my poems: These Words, Me and Waitukubuli and Where's my guardian angel. Looking forward to a good performance it being my first one. For those who don't know, it will take place at the UWI Dominica Centre on Elmshall Road from 2:00pm.

The entire weekend promises to be a good one with distinguished Noble Laureate and Caribbean Poet Derrick Walcott one of the special guests and performers.

The Festival is part of the Reunion 2008 programme to celebrate the 30th. Anniversary of Dominica’s independence, and has been designed to bring Dominican writers together, to enhance their skills and to provide wide exposure to their literary productions. Also carded for the book fair are Marie Elena John, Mervin Morris, Ras Mo and others.

On opening night, Derek Walcott will read from some of his works. There will also be readings from the works of Jean Rhys and Phyllis Allfrey in addition to that from local writers. On Saturday, there will be a number of workshops being carried out, which will include a workshop on creative writing done by Mervin Morris and another on Publishing done by Ian Randle and Macmillan (Caribbean) Publishers. There will also be workshops for children between the ages of 4 and 10, in reading, writing and music.

As part of Saturday’s activities, there will be a number of open mike sessions where locals will be given the opportunity to show off their talent in writing and poetry. This will be supported with reading sessions from Marie Elena John and Mervin Morris and highlighted by a one-on-one session with Mr. Walcott. Ras Mo will also form part of the act with his performance poetry.

Sunday, will encompass another full day of activities, with special dedication to Jean Rhys and will include a lecture and presentation on Jean Rhys popular writing – The Colour of my Soul. There will also be more open mike and reading sessions with cultural performances and other activities.The Nature Island Book Fair & Literary Festival is expected to become an annual event and an activity that everyone, from the young to the old, can enjoy

See You There

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