Chairperson of the Nature Island Literacy Festival, Dr Schuyler Esprit has called for a movement that celebrates the islands authors, poets and playwrights.
Dr. Esprit made that call while addressing the 2015 Nature Island Literacy Festival official opening ceremony held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus grounds on Friday evening.
“This is a fabulous event. I would argue it is one of the best cultural events in the region but it is just an event and here in Dominica and the wider Caribbean community, what we require is a movement,” she said. “We need a movement that institutionalizes its Caribbean literacy culture that celebrates our authors, poets and playwrights as highly as our celebrity entertainers on large musical stages.”
Dr. Esprit continued, “We need a movement strong enough to challenge the thinking and influence more action for those who make policies……we need a system that makes it easier to create and deliver activities for our children to experience the power and joy of their own imagination, in the hopes that one day they too will be moved to read and write and positively change the nature of this beautiful island and the world.”
According to Dr. Esprit, the hope is that by sharing the power of literature to change minds and lives, “to change the way we see our homes and the world beyond our small places, we can also help to increase literacy and improve social and economic conditions of our people through education and edification.”
Another expectation of Dr. Esprit is that the festival, through the diverse cultural experiences that it offers, becomes highly regarded as a main attraction to visitors to Dominica shores.
The Festival, which is in its eight year, is being celebrated under the theme: “Beyond the Green: Nature, Environment & Caribbean Literature”.
The N.I.L.F. is a festival in the true sense of the word. It celebrates Caribbean literature with a host of events that offer inspiration to established and aspiring writers.
In particular, it offers a venue where one can meet like-minded souls. My circle of friends in Dominica stems from my involvement with the very first Festival. For me, it confirmed my decision to relocate home and studio to Dominica. The Invest Dominica Authority could do well to consider the Festival as a life-style inducement to other potential investors.
Shawna Johnson’s “Lyrics under the Stars” is another event that deserves support. Shawna’s mission is to encourage aspiring poets, writers, dancers and musicians to develop their talents. As such, she has nurtured a stable of local artistes that regularly present innovative work of an exceptionally high standard.
Thanks for all your work Schuyler but I also note that you are the editorial consultant for the Chronicle, the newspaper I used to buy and which claims not to be associated to any political party or movement and is committed to providing fair and unbiased coverage. That sounds very much like DNO to me but I know that the Chronicle is far from DNO. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but like it or not we are all judged by the company we keep.
Is it true that mr. Skerrit has hear earmarked to take over from the other Doctor at the State College?
The only politics here is what you’re bringing, JoJo. NILF is a fantastic nonpolitical event and movement that deserves the support of the public without regard to political tribalism.