Nature Island Literary Festival and Book Fair held in Dominica

Asha Lovelace

Since coming back home I find myself saying a lot "Wow! Dominicans have so much talent". And yet again at the 2nd Nature Island Literary Festival and Book Fair held from the 7th to the 9th August, I sat watching an array of gifted Dominican poets, writers, musicians and readers.
Last year one of the highlights of our reunion celebrations was the 1st literary festival and after hearing so often "Dominicans don't read and aren't interested in books" I was glad the event was such a success and that it was to become an annual event. With an impressive line-up and more resources last year, this year was always going to be a challenge for the organisers but we were not disappointed.

From our local line-up:
The readers made me want to revisit old books and keen to read the new ones (I especially thought the "Home Again" readers did a fab job... ;-) I might be slightly biased as these people hold a special place in my heart), the music of Gelina Fontaine and her musical partner was refreshingly very different, the Spanish love poems were indeed very passionate and read with much enthusiasm, the Sixth Form Sisserou Singers were great as usual especially under trying sound and lighting conditions (they would go down so well at a World Music event) and the open mike/new voices from DA poets were again so encouraging and inspiring (Ameka Cognet and Tamara Lowe completely blew me away).

From the invited guests:
Colin Channer ("Bob Marley with a pen", conscious man, the murmurs and glances from the crowd when he read a certain passage from his book was priceless), Earl Lovelace and his daughter Asha Lovelace (Asha's film "Joebell and America" adpated from one of her fathers short stories was funny but had some important messages), Marie-elena John (very fascinating insight into the challenges of turning a book into a movie. Look out for the movie of her book "Unburnable" to be produced by Rudy Langlais), Rudy Langlais (How these two people got connected is a story in itself & I only found out recently that this famous producer had Dominican roots), Aja (spreading the poetic message that we should be more united and the world needs more love), Kwame Dawes (funny, engaging, thought provoking. His readings from "Wisteria", poems written from interviews with elderly African American women from South Carolina was food for thought with regard to our centenarians), Adrian Augier (powerful poetry and beautifully read) & Janete Scobie (daughter of Edward Scobie, I will look out for her new book "The Seeds of Green Mangoes").
All these sessions were entertaining and interesting but Earl Lovelace reading from his new book, "It's only a movie" (very topical) just had me in stitches and I really did not want him to stop.

What appealed to me most about the event this year, was how relaxed, unpretentious and casual the atmosphere. You didn't feel like you had to have a Phd. or dress in a certain way to feel comfortable there. All were made to feel welcome.
The guests chosen for this years event had alot to do with that, what nice, generous people. These were well known, published writers, performance poets, producers, film makers, busy people who did not have to come to our little island but who did and looked like they were genuinly happy to be here. They read and performed as if they were in front of a much larger audience than our meagre offering. They held workshops, answered questions, sat amongst the audience, interacted, were open, encouraging, engaging, approachable and most of all inspiring. They were people, the younger generation especially, could identify with, talking about things they could relate to.

All in all I thought the festival was captivating and stimulating.
It stirred up a hunger for me to read more Caribbean writers and exposed what talent we have to nurture. For sure we have the makings of a Colin, Earl, Marie-elena or Kwame in our midst.
I am just sorry that the audience turn out was not higher over the weekend. Dominicans truly missed out. I have no idea why as the event was FREE, the UWI open campus garden setting was relaxing, the weather excellent, there was food and drink available and the programme jam packed and very impressive.

Sincere thanks and much cudos has to go to the hardworking organising committee headed by Alwin Bully. I know I'm not the only one who thoroughly enjoyed this years festival and wish it every success. We are already looking forward to next year.

Other blog entries here:
jetzzzpoeticexpressions
paulcrask
dominica-weekly
dominica-weekly Photos & Videos

Photos from the event:

Copyright Celia Sorhaindo