Fans of Paul Keens-Douglas will be happy to hear that he has joined the line-up of international literary icons scheduled to appear at the 5th Anguilla Lit Fest: A Literary Jollification. The Festival takes place at Paradise Cove from 19th to 22nd May 2016, and pays homage to Anguilla’s literary heritage. Residents of Anguilla can benefit from significantly discounted tickets if they purchase tickets in advance.
Organisers of the festival are keen to point out that Lit Fest not only appeals to writers – but also lovers of the spoken word, avid readers and those looking to enjoy presentations from thought leaders. The format is an enticing mixture of keynote presentations, lively panel discussions, author workshops, book signings, and of course, “Jollification.” Breakfast and lunch are included in the ticket price and in the evenings delegates mingle at elegant cocktail parties and showcase events, including an “Evening of Caribbean Storytelling” with Paul Keens-Douglas on Saturday, the 21st of May.
This year’s headliners include:
Alafair Burke — New York Times best-selling author and professor
Colin Channer —Author, professor and co-founder of the Calabash International Literary Festival
Paul Keens-Douglas – The Caribbean’s most beloved raconteur and storyteller
Christina Baker Kline — New York Times best-selling author, lecturer and philanthropist
Valerie Wilson Wesley — World-renowned mystery author and former executive editor of Essence
Kate White — New York Times best-selling author and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine
Other distinguished writers and publishing professionals include: Fabian Adekunle Badejo, Krista Bremer, Yona Deshommes, Alexis Gumbs, Johanna Ingalls, Naomi Jackson, Montague Kobbé, Patrick Oliver, John Searles, Dan Weiss, Sara Weiss and Cathrene Valente Youngquist.
Celebrating ‘home grown’ talent, the Pride of Anguilla writers and poets include: Patricia J Adams, Ivenia A Benjamin, Shellecia Brooks-Johnson, Timothy Hodge, Don Mitchell, Christopher Richardson, Trudy Nixon and Fiona Wilkinson. This year’s event will showcase winners of the 2016 Malliouhana Poetry Competition along with members of the Anguilla Under Ground Poets.
Importantly, the Lit Fest’s Champions of Literacy initiative allows for a cross-section of students from Anguilla’s Primary Schools to interact with the visiting authors and for students from the Secondary School to attend the presentation of the event headliner as specially invited guests. The programme also includes a special session for children and young writers on the afternoon of Saturday, May 21st.
Residents of Anguilla can purchase two-day pass for the special price of US$100.00, which includes a welcome cocktail party, breakfast and lunch presentations on both days and special sessions with the authors along with fun-filled evening soirees. Or they can purchase one-day pass for $50, which exclude the evening events. Tickets for Paul Keens- Douglas showcase event are $25 for adults or $10 for children, if purchased in advance before May 12th.
Tickets are now on sale at the Anguilla Tourist Board, Anguilla Library and Paradise Cove. There is also a dedicated website detailing the schedule of activities, list of participants, accommodation options and the ability to reserve tickets. For more information or to register for this year’s event, go to www.anguillalitfest.com. You may also engage with the #anguillalitfest community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
