BIM LITFEST 2014—FESTIVAL STORY

The Bim Literary Festival & Book Fair: A True Cultural Experience

The inaugural Bim Literary Festival and Book Fair took place in May 2012.  Its theme was “Words Need Love Too,” a sentiment borrowed from a poem by Barbados’ best-known poet, Kamau Brathwaite. 

Organized by Writers Ink, a collective of Barbados’ leading novelists and poets, that first festival featured literary giants: Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott, Alba Prize winner George Lamming and Giller Award winners Austin “Tom” Clarke and Lorna Goodison.

The aim of any literary festival is to engage people with reading, writing and literature.  The Bim LitFest, as it’s already affectionately known, gives writers and readers, editors and agents, that all too rare opportunity to get together, lime, and interact one-on-one.  It’s an opportunity for them and the public to talk about books, why they matter and why they love them.  That this can happen in a place like Barbados, long a stimulating destination for the intellectually passionate and creatively curious, is merely as it should be.  

Once again falling under the patronage of the Prime Minister’s Office, the 2014 Bim LitFest is already recognized as an event—an occasion—of national significance. This year’s festival will be staged from 15-17 May in historic Bridgetown, whose surroundings are part of our World Heritage Property.

Visiting writers for 2014 include:

– Professor Emeritus Edward Baugh (Jamaica): Opening Ceremony Keynote Speaker
– Erna Brodber (Jamaica)
– Evelyne Trouillot (Haiti)
– Ramabai Espinet (Trinidad & Tobago)
– Verna Wilkins (UK)
– Danielle Boodoo-Fortuné (Trinidad & Tobago)
– Vladimir Lucien (St. Lucia)

They and an exciting mix of established and emerging Barbados writers such as Shakirah Bourne, Mark Ramsay, Carlyon Blackman, Keoma Mallett and Brian Franklin, will be helping to flesh out our theme: “Crossings: Breaking Borders.”

Stimulating panel discussions that explore the migration to Panama and its impact; the question of identities and ethnicities; the ‘crossing’ of sexualities and the fragile line between sanity and insanity also weave tightly into the 2014 theme.

The Bridgetown Literary Tour, a pilot heritage tourism project celebrating the works of Barbadian writers, will be launched during the Festival.

In addition, there will be book fairs, book launches, readings and performances at locations in and around Independence Square including from a boat berthed in the Careenage. The Bim Litfest Children’s Fair, sponsored by the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, which also takes place in the Square is expected to be a huge attraction.

While this bi-annual festival also provides an avenue for writers and publishers to market their work, it attracts visitors to the island who want a true cultural experience. Wherever you come from, whether reader or writer, we look forward to seeing you in Independence Square 15-17 May for our celebration of words.

• See Time Out with Festival Director Esther Phillips.

Visit www.bimlitfest.org and facebook.com/BimLitFest for moe information.

 

EMAIL QUERIES TO:

–  Tammi Browne-Bannister tambroban@yahoo.com

             –  Linda M. Deane deanelinda@gmail.com