Bim LitFest 2014 was an exciting and varied two-and-a-half days of celebrating the written word in Barbados. For those who missed it and those looking forward to the next one, here’s our Festival in 30—a round-up of events in 30 observations including highlights, hurdles, and other happenings.
Welcome to the series that started life in the run-up to Bim LitFest 2014 in which we ask assorted bibliophiles some of life’s truly tough questions such as: Who is your favourite author? What is your favourite book? What was the first book to REALLY capture your imagination and attention? How do you show words you love them?
Click on the names below to read some truly revealing responses.
WHAT is it we understand about ourselves, our politics, our place in the world? What is it we value and celebrate and would defend with our lives, with our soul, as a people? What makes us laugh and cry and sing, and cook with gusto, or eat with passion, love with pride? And why?
ArtsEtc is the proud sponsor and editorial team behind the brand new NIFCA Winning Words anthology.
The company has partnered with the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) to produce the fifth such anthology in the Winning Words catalogue which features selections from the annual NIFCA Literary Arts competition.
GREEN READINGS is an annual eco-literary event that ArtsEtc began in 2008 after a request from the Ministry of the Environment, which was seeking fresh ways to promote its public message.
The themed readings typically featured six Barbadian writers over two weekends in June (Environment Month) at outdoor locations. The 2013 Green Readings, pictured here, was staged at Queen’s Park in Bridgetown and on the Boardwalk in Hastings, Christ Church.
IN JUNE 2012, ArtsEtc launched its latest publication, Green Readings: Barbados, The First Five Years [2008-2012] on the Boardwalk at Hastings. It was a fun occasion and part of Green Readings 2012—the annual showcase of open-air environmental readings and performance.
The 48-page anthology features the work of roughly 24 literary and other artists who have participated in Green Readings since its inception in 2008, an overview of the readings and the philosophy behind them.
ArtsEtc is deeply saddened to learn of the passing on January 12 of dear friend and collaborator Thomas Armstrong, after a brave struggle with cancer.
We first met Tom in 2009 shortly after he won second prize at the Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Awards for his novel Of Water and Rock. The book also garnered the George Lamming Award at NIFCA in 2010. ArtsEtc went on to host the Barbadian book launch for him in 2011 and to collaborate with him in the research of Barbadian and West Indian authors.
For the second year running, ArtsEtc Inc., in collaboration with its art partners, has released a reading list for Independence.
The List, which it is also called, contains 12 titles. All are by Barbadian authors or those Barbadians may rightly claim.
Some are found in our bookstores, others in the National Library or second-hand bookshops or online. Wherever you find these books—our books—it is about savouring them, treasuring them, challenging them. Then going out and finding more!
ArtsEtc added the work of young Barbadian multimedia artist Sheena Rose to their collection in July 2012.
The three drawings, entitled Town, Trini Roti and Crowd, highlight Sheena's nimble skill with pen and ink, and her uninhibited sense of humour.
The diptych Trini Roti recounts the artist's encounter with the spicy yet popular Trinidadian dish while in residence in that country. In this work, she incorporates--and elevates--toilet humour with the use of Snoopy from the Peanuts comic strip.
