Literary festival
The Alliouagana Festival of the Word took place at the Cultural Centre in Little Bay from November 13 to 15, 2009. Planned as a world class literary festival with presentations by internationally recognised authors and others in the publishing industry, the three day extravaganza of readings, story-telling, book-signings, music, dramatic presentations and workshops was intended to attract visitors to Montserrat from hitherto untargeted markets. These included literary enthusiasts from around the world, the Guadeloupe market and the Montserrat diaspora.
Some 14 out of an original 16 award winning authors and presenters arrived in Montserrat for the Festival. These include Funso Aiyejina, Carolyn Cooper, David Edgecombe, Felix Edinborough, Cherise Fisher, Merle Hodge, J. A. George Irish, Marie-Elena John, Earl Lovelace, Pauline Melville, Gordon Rohlehr, A-dZiko Simba, Yvonne Weekes and Edgar Nkosi White. Unfortunately, Rachel Manley and Austin Clarke were unable to attend the Festival. Professor, Sir Howard Fergus was one of the local authors who presented his work and participated in the celebration of the late E. Archie Markham.
One of the highlights of the Festival included the pre-festival lecture given by Professor Carolyn Cooper entitled Sweet and Sour Sauce: Sexual Politics in Jamaican Dancehall Culture. The packed audience was reluctant to see the end of the discussion segment of the evening. There was a similar response to the Calypso Review which included Kenneth Allen QC, Dr. Clarice Barnes, Justin ‘Hero’ Cassell, Herman ‘Cupid’ Francis and Cecil ‘Cepeke’ Lake. The daily Open Mike Sessions saw many in the audience presenting their work and the dramatic presentations on the Friday and Saturday evenings served to attract the local community to the Festival. The final production Pelau by Plenty Plenty Yac Ya Ya had a full house and the weekend ended with music by Inna Vybes Band. Best of Books from Antigua, supported the Festival over the weekend by engaging youngsters in story hour and games and making available for sale, books by the featured authors.
Local vendors including Tina’s Restaurant, Jaxxonx Restaurant, LIME selling top up and simm cards and providing giveaways, Love’s Cotton Store (Sea Island Cotton products); Africana Fashions (Batique and other clothes and wall hangings); Montserrat Tourist Board (T-shirts, Guide book and Brochures); H. M. Prison (wooden clocks and other woodcraft); Cathron Products (publications, preserves and craft); Julie’s (Craft and on the Sunday food); Bliss Day Spa (healing therapies); Brownean Motion (Bouncy Castle); Montserrat Arts and Crafts Association (Craft items); and Howe’s Enterprises Ltd. (Preserves and Water) provided an ambience that highlighted the true potential of the Cultural Centre as a venue for such events.
Contact Details:
T:(664)491-3924
www.litfest.ms
Festivals