Coming in May: Anguilla Lit Fest: A Literary Jollification

(The Valley, March 21, 2012) The tropical Caribbean paradise of Anguilla is pleased to announce the first annual Anguilla Lit Fest: A Literary Jollification. This auspicious event will take place from May 24-28, 2012, under the distinguished patronage of Terry McMillan, professor, screenwriter, editor and award-winning author of Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Getting to Happy and It’s OK if You’re Clueless: and 23 More Tips for the College Bound.

Also joining McMillan for this occasion will be author Randall Robinson of the USA who now resides in St. Kitts; actress and author Sheryl Lee Ralph of the USA; Malaika Adero, VP, senior editor of Atria/Simon & Schuster in New York City; Lasana Sekou, poet, author, publisher of House of Nehesi Publishers in St. Martin; David Carty, Anguillian historian, film-maker and author; author Marie-Elena John of Antigua and the USA. Other featured authors will be Stephanie Stokes Oliver, Patricia Adams, Marva Allen, and Dwayne Adams.

The Anguilla Lit Fest was conceptualized as a means of celebrating Anguilla’s literary heritage and is seen as a catalyst for visitor arrivals during the summer shoulder period. Visitors from the USA, Canada and The Caribbean are expected to be on island for the four-day event, which will feature a welcome cocktail party, breakfast and lunch presentations, special sessions with the authors and fun-filled evening soirees. Participants will also be given a full day to create their personal Anguilla Experience or to reconnect with their individual creative muse.

The name of the festival speaks to a very important facet of Anguilla’s cultural heritage–the Jollification. Rhona Richardson, a member of the Anguilla Community Foundation explains the concept of the Jollification as “a getting together of people to share and help neighbors.” This was done through the hoeing (plowing) and planting of ground (fields), 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.” Noted economist, historian, author and playwright, Marcel Fahie writes that through the Jollification, “We helped each other with the construction of our homes. Mutual aid and assistance in the form of free labour was also employed to build community facilities, access roads to and from isolated parts of villages, church buildings, community halls and playing fields. The spirit and elements of the jollification survive to this day in various forms. Most notable is the contribution o
f our time and effort to furthering the programs of our religious and charitable organizations.”

Speaking about the organization of the Literary Festival, Director of Tourism Candis Niles states, “This festival could not have been staged without the Anguilla Jollification approach. 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.”

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; and Anacaona Boutique Hotel’s “Book Binder Girls Getaway” package.

Flights can be arranged on American Airlines, Jet Blue, USAirways, United Airlines and Continental Airways through San Juan, Puerto Rico or St. Martin with onward connecting flights or ferry into Anguilla; or on regional carriers LIAT and Winair via Antigua.

For further information on how you can book your package and be a part of the inaugural Anguilla Lit Fest: A Literary Jollification, visit www.ivisitanguilla.com or call 264-497-2759; 800-553-4939; 1-877-4-ANGUILLA.