General Notices

The NGC Bocas Lit Fest 2019 takes place from May 1 to 5. Check out all the UWI-related events below:

May 1: 

• 10am to noon | What Every Fiction Publisher is Looking for/Are Writers Born or Made with Dr Muli Amaye, author and UWI St. Augustine MFA programme coordinator and Jacob Ross, Author at NALIS AV Room.

• 6.30 to 8.30pm | Commonwealth Writers Conversations: We Mark Your Memory with readings by Dr. Gabrielle Hosein, Head of IGDS, Patti-Anne Ali, Stella Chong Sing and Kevin Jared Hosein at The Writers Centre, 14 Alcazar Street, St. Clair.

May 2:

• 2 to 3pm | One-on-One with Gary Younge – Dr Kevin Browne of FHE talks to British writer and UK Guardian Editor-at-Large at NALIS, Old Fire Station.

• 3 to 4pm | One-on-One with Krystal Sital (Secrets We Kept) – Dr. Angelique Nixon of IGDS talks to author Krystal Sital at NALIS, Old Fire Station.

• 4 to 5pm | BORDER CROSSINGS: Reading in Tongues (pg 27 in booklet) – Despite our geographical proximity, the contemporary literature of the non-Anglophone Caribbean is little known to T&T readers. Bibliophile, arts festival director, and ambassador of the Dominican Republic to T&T José Serulle joins scholars Dr Nicole Roberts, Ivette Romero, and Prof. Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw for an informal conversation about regional literature and the challenges faced by our literary neighbours at NALIS, AV Room.

May 3:

• 10 to 11am | One-on-One with Earl Lovelace – UWI St. Augustine Prof. Emeritus Funso Aiyejina introduces Earl Lovelace who will read from his classic novel, The Dragon Can’t Dance at NALIS, AV Room.

• 10 to 11.30am | Capitalism and Slavery at 75 – Historians Dean Heather Cateau, FHE, Selwyn Cudjoe and writer Caryl Phillips discuss the legacy of Erick Williams’ groundbreaking historical and economic study. Chaired by Dr. Gabrielle Hosein. The event takes place at NALIS, Old Fire Station.

• 2 to 3pm | Take Two: Kendel Hippolyte (Word Planting) and Canisia Lubrin (Voodoo Hypothesis) – UWI lecturer, Amilcar Sanatan chairs a discussion between two St. Lucian writers of two generations at NALIS, Old Fire Station.

• 3 to 4pm | Film Screening – Sun, Sea and Science (2018) – Learn about the expertise of UWI scientists: Dr Adesh Ramsubhag; Prof. Patrick Hosein and Professor Paul Teelucksingh in this documentary directed by Raymond Ramcharitar at the NALIS, AV Room.

• 4 to 5pm | Take Two: Muli Amaye (A House with No Angels) and Geoffrey Philp (Garvey’s Ghost) – The following authors will be reading from their novels at NALIS, AV Room.

• 4.30 to 6pm | The Naipaul Inheritance –The new book of essays Seepersad and Sons launches with a debate about the legacies of the Naipaul literary dynasty for contemporary Caribbean writers. Featuring Editor Dr Vijay Maharaj, scholar Kenneth Ramchand, and writer Anton Nimblett. Chaired by Andre Bagoo. The event takes place at NALIS, Old Fire Station.

• 5 to 6pm | Capturing Carnival – A panel discussion on the art and science of Carnival photography, with Maria Nunes (A World of Their Own), Dr. Kevin Browne (High Mas), and Christine Norton (Minshall by Norton), chaired by Franka Philip at NALIS, AV Room.

May 4: 

• 11.30 to 12.30pm | Inspired by the Archives – Part two of this groundbreaking series, in which writers of today are commissioned to explore the Caribbean’s literary archives and write new creative works. Featuring Kendel Hippolyte, Celeste Mohammed, and Alexandra Stewart.

• 1 to 2pm | Cropper Foundation at 20 – As the landmark writing workshop celebrates its 20th anniversary, celebrated Cropper alumni share their work and memories. Introduced by Funso Aiyejina and Merle Hodge. Featuring readings by Andre Bagoo, Rhoda Bharath, Barbara Jenkins, Shivanee Ramlochan, and Colin Robinson at NALIS, AV Room.

May 5:

• 10 to 11am | Heroes and Villains – The authors of new biographical works discuss how and why we should remember those figures from the past who have shaped us, for better and worse. With Selwyn Cudjoe, author of The Slave Master of Trinidad, Judy Raymond, author of Beryl McBurnie, and Funso Aiyejina, author of Earl Lovelace; chaired by Bridget Brereton at NALIS, Old Fire Station.

• 11am to noon | The Peepal Tree Book of Contemporary Caribbean Short Stories – Presenting a talent-packed new anthology of some of the Caribbean’s best writers, introduced by co-editor Jacob Ross. Featuring Barbara Jenkins, Prof. Elizabeth Walcott- Hackshaw, and a reading from the late Hazel Campbell by Paula Lindo at NALIS Old Fire Station.

• 1 to 2pm | Reading Beyond Boundaries – Politicians draw borders, and artists transcend them. Writers: Prof. Emeritus Barbara Lalla, Shivanee Ramlochan, and Arielle John share newly commissioned pieces reflecting on how their work has been shaped and inspired by authors from distant times and places, plus a guest reading by Anu Lakhan, author of Letters to K; chaired by Nicholas Laughlin at NALIS, Old Fire Station.

• 4 to 5pm | A Tribute to Gordon Rohlehr –  As the beloved literary scholar and calypso expert launches his most recent book, writers and calypsonians pay tribute through their words and music at NALIS, Old Fire Station.

To view the full schedule of Bocas Lit Festival events and more, please visit their website: https://www.bocaslitfest.com/2019/.