The Anguilla Tourist Board will host its first annual literary festival May 24th through May 28th at the statuesque, Paradise Cove Resort.
Best-selling authors, publishing industry power brokers, celebrity notables and book enthusiasts will converge on the peerless Caribbean destination, known for its buttery soft vanilla sand, beautiful people, rich history and seductive water in shades of blue – turquoise, aqua and marine.
Officially billed as “Anguilla Lit Fest: A Literary Jollification,” the auspicious five-day event will be a celebration of literature, arts and culture featuring an array of distinguished authors from the Caribbean and Abroad. Best-selling author, screenwriter and professor Terry McMillan (‘Waiting to Exhale’) will join esteemed lawyer, activist and author Randall Robinson (‘The Debt’) in top-lining the festival, which will include exclusive author readings, informative workshops, empowering panel discussions and other specially-tailored activities.
Award winning author and actor Hill Harper (‘The Conversation’), producer/author Crystal McCrary (‘Inspiration: Black Woman Who Are Changing The World’) and actress/singer/activist and new author Sheryl Lee Ralph (‘Redefining Diva’) are also confirmed, along with literary industry key influencers Malaika Adero (Atria/Simon & Schuster), Lasana Sekou (House of Nehesi Publishers) and Marva Allen (Hue Man Books), among others.
The distinctive name of the festival speaks to a very important facet of Anguilla’s cultural heritage–the Jollification, a gathering of people to share and help neighbors. This was traditionally done through the plowing and planting of ground, all against the backdrop of men working together, women cooking, and children playing, while the work was carried out free of cost, with much laughter, singing and “jollification.”
“This festival could not have been staged without the Anguilla Jollification approach,” said Director of Tourism Candis Niles. “Through the assistance, support and sharing of the Ministry of Social Development, the Anguilla Tourist Board, the Anguilla Social Security Board, Paradise Cove Resort & Conference Centre, Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa, DaVida’s Restaurant, and our partners from the business sector, Coral Reef Bookstore, Merchants’ Market and Tropical Flower Distributors, we have been able to make the Anguilla Literary Festival a reality, and for that we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation.”
“Literacy has always been of paramount importance to the people of Anguilla,” said Hon. Haydn Hughes, Parliamentary Secretary Tourism. “The Anguilla Literary Festival was conceived to highlight the creative mastery of celebrated authors to promote excellence in publishing while also igniting the imagination and aspirations of book enthusiasts. We look forward to kicking off this worthwhile effort celebrating the literary arts and by so doing, motivate young prospective writers to embark on a career in writing.”
Special packages for the event are being offered by Anguilla’s leading accommodation establishments, including Paradise Cove Resort’s “Lit Talk Anguilla” package; Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa’s “Invitation to Exhale with Terry McMillan” package; Little Butterfly’s “Lit Talk Anguilla” package, Anguilla Great House presents “Great Anguilla Lit Talk” and Anacaona Boutique Hotel’s “Book Binder Girls Getaway” package. For more info on exclusive hotel packages please visit www.ivisitanguilla.com/anguillas-literary-festival-accommodations-packages/
