If there is one town in Jamaica where a continuum of five hundred years of human occupation is visible every day of the week, it is Port Maria. On the streets, the present and the past interlock, creating a textured ambiance that was perfect for the St Mary Literary Festival which was held on April 27, 2024.
Other creative writing pieces also touched the fanciful and explored the world of emotions and inward turned thoughts. A volunteer read Miss K’lyn McKoy of Jacks River Primary School’s story of “The Haunted Doll”, a character with an unseen but therapeutic mission. On the other hand, the disturbing results of giving limitless devotion to someone and not receiving any positive payoff was the poem “Abyss and Line” by Miss Janaya Reid of Marymount High School. “I live in deception. I live in lies. Yet, still my devotion to you runs true… There will be always a deep dark abyss Between us But there’s just a thin line between me And the truth.” This was followed by Web “She’s like a spider spinning a manipulative web… Once you get trapped, she eats you… You’ll never return to you. Still I love her. “ Ms Kacey Garvey delivered Quick!, which was based on one of the famous parables of Jesus known by various names such as the Stern Brother or the Prodigal Son, but Garvey’s version gave us the Loving Father. “Your Father has waited for you not for your guilt, but for your repentance, not for your scorn, but for your return. Your Father has waited for you with a broken heart but an unbroken gaze sitting at His window, looking out for you so that while you were still a far way off He could to run to you with open arms.” Also from the Bible, Marymount High School student, Miss Sashamaie Reid shaped the famous story of the fall of mankind with her work of prose “Disobedience will have Consequences” “For you and Adam are God's chosen pair There are no so-called ‘consequences’, no need for despair.” The serpent lied through its teeth she couldn’t help but believe. Still doubtful, Eve contemplated her fate Between fulfilling her desires or God’s command so great. The serpent sensing, pushed her to the brink.” The theme of the second panel discussion “Role of Literature in Revolutionay Movements, including Marcus Garvey” was opened with an essay memorised by Ms Dionne Walker, “Imagine a world without the Caribbean.” “A unique complement of environmental skills and abilities adopted while resisting slavery, colonisation and racism created a special attitude, but that is still just half of the portrait in this immediate contemporary world we find ourselves. ..... There is an extraordinary need to share and look outward that has been activated to unbounded levels by digital media.” To highlight how the Caribbean has touched the world, she names the 20th and 21st century global luminaries in sports and the arts. At this point, YA Readers had to depart and left a hall that had had filled out substantially. Compliments to organiser, educator Paul Ward and the collaborators. We hope that more literary ventures continue to arise. St Mary can pride itself as being the venue of two literary events by the sea. The other was Independent VoYces Literary Fair in 2010 and 2011 at Strawberry Fields Forever in Robin’s bay, founded by writer Judith Falloon Reid. Treasure Beach has been the site of the celebrated Calabash International Literary Festival since 2000 with current Poet Laureate of Jamaica Kwame Dawes and film producer Justine Henzell. Yasus Afari’s Jamaica Poetry Festival commemorated its 13th anniversary in 2023 and his 19th Poetry in Motion showcase was also that year. The Two Seasons Talking Trees Literary Fiesta in Treasure Beach ran from 2012-2019 organised by the Marrett, Barrett and Harold Davidson collective. Janet Silvera and Dollis Campbell took the vibe inland with Pon di River Pon di Bank at Boon Hall Oasis and Hope Gardens across 2010 to 2013. Leachim Semaj hosted Asante Adonai Literary Lyme in Winefield St Ann in 2011. The invocation of the rector for the parish church seemed to have been fulfilled, he asked that the display and demonstration of talents that were to be presented at the festival be for the welfare of others. His reading was selected from the Acts of the Apostles where the fellowship were gathered with a common goal. For more flavour of the festival visit its Facebook page. /End
No comments:
Post a Comment