The Anguilla Literary Foundation (ALF) celebrated the 8th annual Anguilla Litfest: A Literary Jollification at Paradise Cove Resort, on May 18th and 19th, as the climax of the 2019 week of events.
Litfest 2019 officially kicked off on Monday, May 13th, with a series of writing workshops for students, teachers and adults, hosted by Litfest Alumnus, Mrs. Krista Bremer, in conjunction with the Anguilla Community College, the Anguilla Library Services and the Anguilla Tourist Board. These were followed by the popular and highly anticipated community outreach sessions, which saw a cross-section of the visiting authors and poets visit and interact with inmates of Her Majesty’s Prison, as well as students of WISE and Zenaida Haven, inspiring and encouraging them to channel their energies and creativity into the expression of the literary arts.
The ALF formally welcomed the full cohort of 18 visiting authors, poets and publishing professionals, as well as sponsors, in a grand Author and Press Reception, hosted by the Management of “The Reef” by Cuisinart Golf Resort and Spa. Also on hand to officially welcome the visiting presenters, and their guests, was the Hon. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for Tourism and Culture.
The Festival got underway on Friday, May 17, led by the day’s Mistress of Ceremonies, Ms. Carla Harris, who introduced the Rise and Shine Breakfast session, a sumptuous Caribbean-style breakfast buffet and a vibrant spoken word presentation showcasing Mr. Kane Smego, an international Spoken Word and Hip Hop Performing artiste, Mrs. Denene Millner, and Anguilla’s own Fiona Wilkinson, and T’Arah “T-The Poet” Niles, for a dynamic and uplifting performance that set the tone for the rest of the weekend’s proceedings. This was followed by a Masterclass by Mr. Jason Reynolds who struck many chords with his audience which included a representative group of students from the ALHCS. The highlight of Day One was the Maverick Luncheon Presentation, featuring Life-coach, motivational speaker and award-winning author, Tony Gaskins, who wowed the audience with his presentation on 22 Time-tested Truths on Love and Relationships. The day’s presentations culminated with another dynamic panel which focused on expression of self – Bloggers, Book Clubs and Building a Brand – on Social media, featuring Jet Set Sarah, Glory Edim, Denene Milner and Sheri Gaskins. The spirit of Jollification was on full display, with the high velocity Welcome Reception, Caribbean Flavours, sponsored by Tropical Distributors, and featuring the Mayoumba Folkloric Group and the Musical Brothers.
The final day of Litfest, shifted the focus to the Pride of Anguilla with a breakfast presentation featuring the Malliouhana Poetry Competition winners, Sekani Reid, Kymai Collins, and Alexis Ryan. This was followed by presentations by Pride of Anguilla published poets and authors, Patricia Adams, Chris Richardson, Kenza Gumbs,”Rey N”.Rosmarie Nunez, and Marilyn B. Hodge, who shared on their literary journeys and read from their newly published works.
The rest of the morning was devoted to a panel on How Stories Save Us, featuring Krista Bremer, NC Marks, Pat Cummings, Ira Simmonds and Sadeqa Johnson. Participants were also able to sign up for a Publicity Sidebar with Yona Deshommes of Simon and Shuster Books. The highlight of the day was the Maverick Luncheon presentation, featuring Ms. Alice Walker, award-winning author, poet and activist, who shared with her enthralled audience insights into her literary journey through a conversation with noted editor of the ATRIA Publishing Group’s, 37-INK, Dawn Davis.
Lit Fest Saturday afternoon featured simultaneous panels, one a publishing panel exploring Publishing in the Post-Obama era, featuring Stephanie Stokes Oliver, Dawn Davis, Alex Shujah Reiph, and Denene Millner; the other, devoted to the Champions’ Pursuit of Literacy for Primary school-aged children which featured presentations by Patricia Cummings, Kane Smego, Denene Millner and Jason Reynolds, encouraging children to use their talents and experiences to express their truth in word and through the Hip-Hop art form. The Children’s session concluded with a special jollification treat co-sponsored by the ALF and some of Anguilla’s leading pizzerias, namely, Ashley’s, Corner Bar, J&J’s and Triangles Pizzerias. Juices and water were provided by Ashley’s, JW Proctors, Mingz and Syd and Pete’s supermarkets.
The Anguilla Litfest:A Literary Jollification concluded with a rousing and energetic Open Mic evening of music and poetry on the pool deck of Paradise Cove featuring local and visiting artistes.
The Anguilla Literary Foundation acknowledges the support and contribution of these businesses and other sterling sponsors of Anguilla Litfest: A Literary Jollification, 2019, including, Paradise Cove Resort, The Reef at Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa, the Dan Brown Foundation, the Government of Anguilla, the Department of Youth and Culture, The Anguilla Tourist Board, the Department of Library Services, and the Department of Education, the Anguilla Social Security Board, Grands Vins de France, ANGLEC, FLOW, Haskins Ltd., ABS, Shoal Bay Villas, Andy’s Car Rental, the Anguillian Newspaper, SoCreative Designs, Kenvis Gumbs Web Services, Curt Harris, True Communications, Hi-Tek Designs, Arian Customs Brokerage and Freight Services, Anguilla Masonry Products, Greig’s Trucking, NAGICO Insurances, Advance Caribbean, Tropical Distributors, Leviticus Lifestyle Travel, Funtime Charters, Anguilla Rocks, Moking Anguilla, the Anguilla Community College, BEP Events, Couture Concepts, Titanium Sounds and Zuri Wilkes Photography.
