Nature Island Literary Festival and Book Fair carded for August 5-7

Set your calendars: the fourth annual Nature Island Literary Festival and Book Fair opens on Friday evening, the 6th August, at the UWI Open Campus on Elmshall Road, Roseau, with a wide variety of rich and entertaining performances, from both local and overseas writers, performers, musicians, and more.

The Festival continues through Saturday and Sunday with readings, open mic sessions (open to anyone who wishes to read or recite their work on stage), a large number of workshops, a wide range of books for sale and a book exchange.

All events are free. You can walk in and out whenever you want to—but you’ll miss a lot if you leave!

Alwin Bully, Festival Chairman, feels that the public is in for another treat this August and had this to say: “This year’s Festival will introduce a number of new names to the public – artists, both local and international who have made their mark on the literary scene and have much to offer by way of innovative expression in poetry and prose.  But the festival is so diverse in the wide range of offerings – spoken word performance poets, books, film, calypso as literature, writing workshops, children’s events, competitions, Creole cuisine and so on – that there’s something there for every one whatever your taste – for FREE. It’s a unique and refreshing way to spend a weekend.”

There are a large number of exciting and accomplished writers, artists of all stripes, and performers coming from overseas for the Festival. They will be involved in a variety of events and activities. These include the dynamic and crowd-stopping spoken-word poetry performances of Gino Morrow (US) and Keegan Maharaj (T&T), readings by the highly acclaimed St. Lucian poet Kendel Hippolyte, the comedic storytelling of the great Ken Corsbie from Guyana, and sessions by Beverly East (Jamaica), Snoo Wilson (UK), and the well-known writer-critic and biographer of Phyllis Shand Allfrey, Lizabeth Paravisini (US). And, of course, the best of local writers, choral speech groups and musicians.

There are also many great Dominican-born writers and performers coming: Ras Mo, who will be bringing his trademark performance style; Joanne Skerrett, who will be launching a new book at the Festival; Trish Cooke (DOM/UK), prize-winning children’s writer and scriptwriter; and many more.

And if you like what you hear or just want a chance to pick up some fun, top-quality books, our book fair offers you the chance to buy a large number of books. What’s better than seeing a great performance—and then getting to pick up your own copy of the performer’s work? And with our book exchange feature, you can bring a book of your own and exchange it for one of ours.

On top of all this, there will be a large number of our always-popular workshops about writing of all kinds, you’ll be able to hear some good music, there will be food and drinks available at the food court, and you’ll be able to watch and discuss a unique Caribbean film.

And even before the Festival, there’s great stuff going on: there are workshops taking place over the month of July, readings and music and book exchanges in village centers across the island, and radio readings and talks, among other things.

So, no matter your age or interests, the Nature Island Literary Festival has something for you. It comes just once a year, is free, and offers you the chance to take part in a Festival that has been well-received and has featured established and up-and-coming artists from Dominica and abroad since it began. Come on down and be a part of something great.

For more information, contact [email protected] or feel free to check us out online at our new site, dominicalitfest.com

See you there!