May 3, 2024
he St. Augustine Campus of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) came alive with literary fervour from March 11-15, 2024, as it played host to the 26th Annual Campus Literature Week.
In a statement the UWI said this literary celebration themed “Crafting Liberated Words”, organized by the MFA Creative Writing Students in the Department of Literary, Cultural & Communication Studies (DLCCS) of The UWI, showcased the vibrant narratives and voices of the Caribbean.
Among the event’s standout moments was the presence of cultural icon Machel Montano who shared insights into the role of calypso and soca music in preserving the oral tradition of Trinidad & Tobago, emphasizing the impact of personal narratives woven into his songs.
Throughout the week, students and attendees were treated to a variety of literary experiences, including in-person readings at the Alma Jordan Library and engaging discussions on the DLCCS website. These sessions shone the light on Caribbean writers, featuring celebrities like Tony Deyal, Jasmine Sealy and renowned actor, author, and storyteller Paul Keens Douglas who emphasized the transformative power of storytelling, urging writers not to shy away from using dialect to authentically capture the essence of Caribbean life.
Campus Literature Week always enjoys the support of local writers and this year was no exception. On March 14, the readings in Alma Jordan Library were given by invited writers: Professor Emerita Barbara Lalla, Professor Emeritus Kenneth Ramchand, Celeste Mohammed, Ira Mathur and Judy Raymond who read from their work either fiction or non-fiction.
The week culminated in a Gala Event held at the Centre for Language Learning (CLL) Auditorium, in partnership with the NGC Bocas Lit Fest. Attendees were treated to a captivating contemporary dance performance by La Shaun Prescott, set to the poignant poem “The Door” by Halcyon Alexander-Prescott. Professor Merle Collins, this year’s Writer in Residence, delivered an intriguing address titled “Oceanic Journeys in The Voices of Caribbean Literature,” reflecting on the enduring significance of the ocean as a metaphor for Caribbean stories.
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As Professor Collins stated, “Storytelling is a part of who we are as Caribbean people.” This sentiment encapsulates the essence of Campus Literature Week 2024, which served as a vibrant celebration of Caribbean identity and heritage through the art of storytelling.
For those who missed the live events, recordings and highlights from Campus Literature Week 2024, including the closing ceremony, are available online at https://sta.uwi.edu/fhe/dlcc/news-events
Mr. Kemp, good morning, I want to once again congratulate you for being the communicating vessel of science, arts and Caribbean literature, amen, for reporting on Caribbean problems. I am pleased to be informed through Caribbean Magazine Plus about all the areas that come together in Caribbean life. Receive my greetings and I wish you a happy weekend. Your friend and servant, poet, teacher and Nicaraguan writer: Raúl Ignacio José Arana Irías, pseudonym Peter Parker.