Here’s the complete programme for the 2019 edition of Montserrat’s literary event, the Alliouagana Festival of the Word.
This year’s patron is Premier Donaldson Romeo.
“Continue the Conversation, Change the Narrative” is the theme of the event now in its 11th year.
Thursday November 14
9.30 am Primary Schools’ Book Parade from Carr’s Bay to Little Bay (N & B to Basketball Complex)
- Presentation by Olive Senior
- Presentation by Edwin Martin
7.00 pm Cultural Centre
Unveiling of Exhibition Disaster Passed?
The eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano on Montserrat has contributed a lot to the global understanding of volcanic eruptions. We commemorate the eruption, the experiences and the very strong cultural responses it created.
Entertainment by Calypsonians
- Kelvin ‘Tabu’ Duberry
- Herman ‘Cupid’ Francis
- Lloyd ‘Bimshaw’ Francis
- Cecil ‘Cepeke’ Lake
- Pat ‘Belonger’ Ryan
Public Lecture in the Memorial Lecture Series for Alphonsus ‘Arrow’ Cassell.
- Justin ‘Hero’ Cassell – Arrow’s Contribution to the Creative and Cultural Arts in Montserrat
- Key Note Address by Dr. Clarice Barnes – The Chance Pond Mermaid and Diamond Snake Meme: Contending Issues in Gathering our Volcano Stories
- Discussion
9.00 pm Taste of National Dish (Goat Water) and Traditional Night-time Beverage – Bush Tea
Friday November 15
10.00 am – Authors/Presenters visit Schools
- Olive Senior meets students from the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) and the Montserrat Community
College (MCC) in the Open Campus Classroom - David Hingsten speaks to Lower Forms at MSS
11.15 am Edward Martin speaks about Montserrat Heroes and Legends to the youth at the Open Campus
6.30 pm Welcome Reception hosted by Patron for Sponsors, Authors and Visitors – Lobby, Cultural Centre (by Invitation)
Welcome by Montserrat Masquerades
8.00 pm Opening Ceremony for Literary Festival
Launch of Books
- Olive Senior Boonoonoonous Hair
- Howard Fergus First of August Come Again
- Christene Browne Philomena (Unloved)
Sale and Signing of Books
Saturday November 16 Conference Room, Cultural Centre, Little Bay
9.00 am Dr. Emily Bernard – Writing about Race and the Difference it makes
10.00 am Olive Senior – Hidden from History: West Indian Builders of the Panama Canal
11.00 am BREAK
11.30 pm Dr. Cheryl Tawede Grills – Emancipate Yourself from Mental Slavery: None but Ourselves can Free our Minds, Spirits and Soul
2.00 pm MVO Creative Writing Competition Prize-Giving Ceremony
3.00 pm HarperCollins sponsored Spelling Bee, “Spell like a Champion” with Barbara Arrindell
4.00 pm HarperCollins sponsored Reading Competition “Read like a Champion” with Barbara Arrindell and Thandie Williams
7.00 pm Word Up: A Spoken Word and Storytelling Slam at the Montserrat Community College, Salem
Sunday November 17
9.15 am Mass – St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Look Out
2.00 pm Edwin Martin – Montserrat’s Heroes
and Legends: Discussing the Contribution of the Recently Departed:
- Professor George Irish
- Hon Margaret Dyer Howe
- Hon D.R.V. Edwards
3.30 pm Discussion around Videos – MVO
- Ta Nehesi Coates – Reparations are not just about Slavery but also Centuries of Theft and Racial Terror
- Video of Musical by Derek Walcott “Steel”
7.30 pm Home Hospitality for Visiting Authors/Presenters/Sponsors
