You are cordially invited to the activities planned for the 2015 Alliouagana Festival of the Word. As we join in observing 20 years since the start of volcanic activity, we have for you, a programme that explores various aspects of the theme Volcanic Ash: Journeys and Connections.
The first event is the 3rd Distinguished Lecture in the Alphonsus ‘Arrow’ Cassell Memorial Lecture Series. This will be presented by Dr. Aldrin Sweeney who has chosen as his topic Thinking Beyond the Ash: Using Our Volcanic Resources. The Lecture will be held in the Conference Room at the Cultural Centre on Thursday November 12, 2015 at 7.30 pm.
We are delighted that Baroness Floella Benjamin, the Patron for the Festival for 2015, will be talking about her own journeys at the Opening Ceremony which starts at 8.15 pm on Friday November 13. Other highlights for the evening include an Africana Fashion Show and the launch of new books by Edgar Nkosi White and David Lea.
The rest of the weekend will be devoted to events, many of which are now regular fixtures on the Festival Calendar. These include exciting workshops with exceptional authors both local and visiting, readings and signings, the MVO creative writing competition award ceremony on Saturday and the Book Lovers’ Parade on Sunday. The Parade is coordinated this year by Miss Montserrat / Miss Jaycees Caribbean Queen, Sharissa Ryan, with assistance continuing from our partners, the Coral Cay Team.
Coretta Ryan (Sharissa’s sister) is behind a new event for the 2015 literary festival. Word Up will be held away from the Cultural Centre and Spoken Word artists, calypsonians and poets are invited to showcase their work at 8 pm on Saturday November 14 at the Lyme in Brades (home of Nanny’s Café).
Please let us know if climbing the stairs to attend sessions held in the Conference Room at the Cultural Centre will be a challenge for you. We are willing to consider using technology so that you need not miss any event.
Finally, thanks to the Government of Montserrat, our major sponsor for this year, a special fare of EC$200 round-trip is being offered for anyone travelling by ferry out of Antigua for the Festival. Contact us if you would like to enjoy this special fare.
Sincerely
Gracelyn Cassell,
Event Organiser
Head UWI Open Campus – Montserrat
