Sir Hilary Beckles to Speak at Montserrat’s 10th Alliouagana Festival of the Word

Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Sir Hilary Beckles

Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Sir Hilary Beckles is to be the Patron and a keynote speaker at the 10th Alliougana Festival of the Word (AFWLitFest) later this month.

Founder of the literary festival Gracelyn Cassell, said she was honoured that Mr Beckles will be attending the event, which is annually coordinated through her office at UWI Open Campus.

“Understanding Legacies, Celebrating Achievements, Embracing Tomorrow” is this year’s theme. Beckles will be joined by a cadre of authors and speakers from across the region for the four-day event which runs November 15 to 18, 2018.

The Thursday, November 15th public lecture in honour of the late Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell will be delivered by Professor Carolyn Cooper of Jamaica. Her topic is “Making Work: Capital Investment in the Creative/Cultural Industries”.

Professor Beckles will speak at the opening ceremony on Friday, November 16 on “What Next for Caribbean People?”

Sir Howard Fergus is to launch his latest collection of poetry A Word in Season with St Patrick’s Day and Mango Poems later that evening.

St. Maarten-based House of Nehesi Publishers will launching the work of N.C. Marks at the festival. Shujah Reiph, Coordinator of the St. Martin Book Fair is also scheduled to attending Alliouagana literary event and will speak to students during the school visits, as well as present during the Saturday session.

On Wednesday, November 14, the Hon. Premier Donaldson Romeo is to host a reception for Sir Hilary Beckles to commemorate the 70th anniversary of UWI and the 10th hosting of the local literary festival.

His Excellency, the Governor Andrew Pearce will host the official welcome reception for all visiting authors and speakers prior to the opening ceremony at the Montserrat Cultural Centre on Friday, Nov. 16.

Books from local and international authors will be on sale throughout the four-day event in the lobby of the Cultural Centre.


2018 Alliouagana Festival of the Word

“Understanding Legacies, Celebrating Achievements, Embracing Tomorrow”

Cultural Centre, Little Bay, Montserrat
November 15 to 18, 2018

Draft Programme

Wednesday November 14 Pre-Festival Activities

1.00 pm – A-dZiko Simba Gegele runs Storytelling Workshop with Primary Schools

8.00 pm – Reception at Tropical Mansion Suites

  • Hosted by Honourable Premier for Vice Chancellor, Sir Hilary Beckles
  • Citations of Recognition for the University of the West Indies 70th Anniversary and for the Open Campus’ 10th Anniversary

Thursday November 15

9.30 am Primary Schools’ Book Parade from Carr’s Bay to Little Bay (N & B to Basketball Complex)

  • Motivational Talk by Shujah Reiph
  • Motivational Talk by Barbara Arrindell

Conference Room, Cultural Centre, Little Bay

7.00 pm – Public Lecture in the Memorial Lecture Series for Alphonsus Arrow” Cassell. “Making Work: Capital Investment in the Creative/Cultural Industries” by Professor Carolyn Cooper

9.00 pm – Taste of National Dish (Goat Water) and Traditional Night-time Beverage – Bush Tea

Friday,  November 16 – Various Venues

10.00 am Authors/Presenters visit Schools

Lobby, Cultural Centre, Little Bay

6.30 pm

  • Cocktail Reception for Authors and Visitors hosted by H. E. The Governor, Andrew Pearce
  • Fashion Show Natural Hair & Ethnic Wear
  • Welcome by Montserrat Masquerades

Auditorium, Cultural Centre, Little Bay

8.00 pm

  • Opening Ceremony for Festival
  • Presentation by Patron of the Festival, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of The University of the West Indies. What Next for Caribbean People?
  • Launch of New Publications
  • Professor, Sir Howard Fergus
    A Word in Season with St. Patrick’s Day and Mango Poems
  • N. C. Marks Plastered in Pretty sponsored by Publisher – House of Nehesi Press.
  • Sale and Signing of Books

Saturday November 17 – Cultural Centre, Little Bay

 Lobby, Cultural Centre, Little Bay

10.00 am – Harper Collins sponsored Spelling Bee, “Spell like a Champion” – Barbara Arrindell and Sonja Smith

11.00 am – Harper Collins sponsored Reading Competition “Read like a Champion” – Barbara Arrindell and Sonja Smith

Noon – LUNCH

Conference Room

1.30 pm Presentations followed by a Panel Discussion

  • Walcott and the Legacies of Colonialism by David Edgecombe
  • The Colonial Winds of Irma by Shujah Reiph
  • Our African World Now and Then by Chedmond Browne

Montserrat Community College, Salem

6.00 pm

  • Word Up: A Spoken Word and Storytelling Slam
  • Black Matters – Video Clips and Discussion led by A-dZiko Simba Gegele

Sunday November 18

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Look Out

9.15 am Mass

UWI Open Campus Site, Salem

1.00 pm – Impact of Slavery on Montserrat – Professor Sir Howard Fergus

  • Africa Revisited
    Ghanians Speak
    Nigerians Speak
    Diasporans Speak

2.00 pm – Is the Share of the Cultural Pie Changing or is it Mere Tokenism? – Sarah Dickinson

Panel Discussions

  • Negotiating Development Challenges into the Future
  • Montserrat Uniting for Development

8.00 pm – Home Hospitality for Visiting Authors/Presenters/Sponsors

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