I’m pleased as punch to see my Caribbean and Central American brothers and sisters using the internet and this COVID-19 downtime productively and wholesomely.
I have come across literary conferences, online book clubs, multiple zoom meetings and have connected with Caribbean and Central American people miles away from home. What a pleasure this has been over the past six months for me.
We have to keep this up once we get out of this pandemic together. We have to do more and when we have a chance, add in the live meetings with these virtual hook ups as a way to bring as many together as possible. I see no reason why it can’t be done.
Coming together to share ideas and experiences is what makes our souls vibrant as we can compare each other through the looking glass and add to one another what we like about the other soul out there. How amazing!
There is a significant literary conference slated for June 4 – 6 being organised by the Caribbean Literary Society, we have a story up about it now. CARICOM has also began offering workshops on the CSME through virtual classrooms, something that is a master-stroke of genius but looking back now could have been done a few years ago- a shame we needed a pandemic for us to slow down and use what we have at our fingertips.
Caribbean Magazine Plus has a Poetry Contest up now with a submission deadline for August 15. It’s our first ever and we will do more, God’s willing. We hope to add to the cultural history of the region and give some bright minds a chance to shine on the world stage. With our small platform we will do as much as we possibly can to give someone that spotlight with the talent, ambition and skills.
https://www.caribmagplus.com/poetry-contest-2021/
We are making progress as a region without a doubt. This pandemic has brought up back to our natural roots. The roots of communication, storytelling and togetherness. Yes, indeed.