Literary giants gather at CARIFESTA XV
The literary spotlight at CARIFESTA XV shone brightly on August 25, as a distinguished panel of writers gathered for the symposia roundtable “Writing the Caribbean Soul: Literature as Resistance and Innovation”, held at the Walcott Warner Theatre, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados.
St. Martin author and publisher Lasana M. Sekou joined fellow Caribbean and diaspora writers Bernice L. McFadden (USA), Marlon James (Jamaica/USA), and Nancy Morejón (Cuba) for a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving role of literature in the Caribbean and beyond. Moderated by Lafleur Cockburn of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the roundtable attracted over 100 attendees.
Sekou, who is projects director at House of Nehesi Publishers, emphasized literature as an “ongoing conversation” that links individual and cultural experiences across generations and geographies. He also advocated for increased translations of Caribbean literature into the region’s multiple languages, noting that despite a market of over 20 million people, no Caribbean author has yet sold a million books within the region. He urged writers to actively engage with their communities – whether at rum shops or fishermen’s meetings – to connect their work to the people it represents.
Marlon James, Booker Prize-winning author of Black Leopard, Red Wolf, described writing itself as a form of rule-breaking. His comment captured the spirit of the discussion, which explored how Caribbean writers challenge norms, reclaim narratives, and experiment with form.
Nancy Morejón, a towering figure in Cuban poetry, reflected on distinctions within Latin American literature, praising Nicolás Guillén and the late Jamaican cultural theorist Rex Nettleford for their contributions to Caribbean identity and geography. Bernice L. McFadden, whose writing draws connections between Caribbean heritage and African American Southern traditions, emphasized the deeply personal nature of her storytelling, shaped by her Bajan roots.
The panel was one of many cultural highlights during the weeklong CARIFESTA XV, held on August 22-31 in Barbados. Prime Minister Mia Mottley closed the festival by thanking the “Caribbean family” and international participants, calling for a return to the biennial rhythm of the festival after a six-year hiatus due to regional crises.
With its blend of literary insight and cultural celebration, the roundtable was a fitting showcase of the Caribbean’s vibrant literary soul.
