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ATTENDEES: Arielle John and Camille Darby

A NEW literary festival is coming to Brooklyn, New York, centered on Caribbean writers.

Supported by the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President and other key stakeholders, the Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival celebrates the existence of the rich and vibrant Caribbean literary tradition in and around the diaspora.

The brainchild of Marsha Massiah (The Idea Room Corp.) her intent is to deliver a product that truly reflects the dynamic relationship between the borough of Brooklyn and its Caribbean inhabitants, and the unique personality. As such, the festival’s events will take place at various iconic Brooklyn locations and it welcomes the support and contributions of corporate entities, academic institutions, as well as the general public.

Participants in the festival will include Caribbean spoken and written word artists from Brooklyn as well as other parts of the diaspora as they participate in creatively designed program of readings, workshops, round-table discussions, and performances all centred on the theme “Caribbean Beyond Carnival”.

Guest speakers will include renowned author Jamaica Kincaid, Barbara Jenkins, Kevin Brown, and Kei Miller. Some event venues include the Center for Fiction and the Brooklyn Historical Society in Brooklyn.

In addition, the not-for-profit venture aims to accomplish various goals including
· The promotion and celebration of the distinct voice of the Caribbean author in literature and culture.
· The positive shaping of the metro-community’s understanding of Caribbean culture and intellectualism, while stimulating the appetite of literature lovers through the appreciation of Caribbean writing.
· The provision of the impetus and encouragement for upcoming authors and poets of Caribbean descent to confidently create and weave their stories and other creative works.
· The lessening of the divide between the literature of the 4 language groups in the Caribbean (English, Spanish, French and Dutch) and the creation of a homogeneous appreciation for its works among Caribbean people.
· The kindling of children’s interest in the folktales of the Caribbean and the fostering of a kinship between children of Caribbean descent and their rich heritage.

The Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival will take place September 6 – 8, 2019.

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