Thank you so much, Paulette! It was definitely glorious, magical and all the things - I don't quite think I've made it back down to the earth in the weeks since!
Ramya, you are something! Really inspired by the way you generously give your words, and your wonder (Treasure beach) to others! Of course your words will find a generous home in return- and they were beautiful!
Thank you so much, Ehae! Yes, it was a month of generosity and wonder, in all the ways. I hope you’ll come to the next edition of Calabash (May 2027) to experience some of the magic yourself!
Ramya Vivekanandan: Thank you for sharing the beautiful love of the Culture of Jamaica and the joy of --
"The Calabash Literary Festival, held on Jamaica’s Treasure Beach . . .the rare joy of seeing a majority-Black audience and roster at a literary event. It’s a festival infused with the magic and fire born of resistance.” — Liv Little, The Guardian . . .
"Calabash is no simple literary festival.
"A cornucopia of goodness
"Rather, it’s a total vibe! A cornucopia of goodness, a testament to Jamaica’s creative wellspring, a celebration of the power of words, a whirlwind of color and music and fashion"
Thank you for reading and for feeling the love, Armand. I hope that you can attend a future edition of Calabash - you'd love it (the next one will be in May 2027)!
Ramya Vivekanandan: The breathtaking natural beauty of Jamaica combines with handsome, loving people, that my experience of Jamaica was w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l . A woman who narrated 19th c. revolts against British plantations spoke with truth and a fire kindled by love of good and poor people, that she was transfigured in my eyes to a near angelic radiance in her sorrow and deep love. My God, her conviction kindled sympathetic fire in me, about the goodness of the people who rose up simply to achieve safety and nurture for their families and love of wife and children.
This love is contagious.
The kindling is there in Bob Marley's "Get up, Stand up! Stand up for your rights!"
Ramya Vivekanandan: The narrator is memorable to me, because history LIVED in the young woman's inner fabric.
She was a guide to some of the plantations, speaking vividly of the evils of slavery and the uprightness of the rebellions to free the slaves.
She became beautiful in speaking inner conviction.
She presented history that is worthy of her ancestors, with love, with inner conviction, existentially tied to her righteous freedom-fighters.
This was many years ago; I do not know her name: but her spirit is live and present to me and a part of my experience of the beauty that is in the land and in the people of Jamaica.
This event sounds glorious, Ramya! And congratulations on reading your work in front of a live audience and your peers. 'Bless Up!'
Thank you so much, Paulette! It was definitely glorious, magical and all the things - I don't quite think I've made it back down to the earth in the weeks since!
This bash sounds like a true oasis for writers. Thank you for shedding light on its impact! It looks like a very fun time.
Oasis is right, Stanley! It’s truly a magical experience. Maybe you’ll find yourself there some day? The next one will take place in May 2027 😊
Ramya, you are something! Really inspired by the way you generously give your words, and your wonder (Treasure beach) to others! Of course your words will find a generous home in return- and they were beautiful!
Thank you so much, Ehae! Yes, it was a month of generosity and wonder, in all the ways. I hope you’ll come to the next edition of Calabash (May 2027) to experience some of the magic yourself!
I hope so too!!
Gwaan Jamaica, you large!!
Jamaica Nice! 🇯🇲
Ramya Vivekanandan: Thank you for sharing the beautiful love of the Culture of Jamaica and the joy of --
"The Calabash Literary Festival, held on Jamaica’s Treasure Beach . . .the rare joy of seeing a majority-Black audience and roster at a literary event. It’s a festival infused with the magic and fire born of resistance.” — Liv Little, The Guardian . . .
"Calabash is no simple literary festival.
"A cornucopia of goodness
"Rather, it’s a total vibe! A cornucopia of goodness, a testament to Jamaica’s creative wellspring, a celebration of the power of words, a whirlwind of color and music and fashion"
Thank you for reading and for feeling the love, Armand. I hope that you can attend a future edition of Calabash - you'd love it (the next one will be in May 2027)!
Ramya Vivekanandan: The breathtaking natural beauty of Jamaica combines with handsome, loving people, that my experience of Jamaica was w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l . A woman who narrated 19th c. revolts against British plantations spoke with truth and a fire kindled by love of good and poor people, that she was transfigured in my eyes to a near angelic radiance in her sorrow and deep love. My God, her conviction kindled sympathetic fire in me, about the goodness of the people who rose up simply to achieve safety and nurture for their families and love of wife and children.
This love is contagious.
The kindling is there in Bob Marley's "Get up, Stand up! Stand up for your rights!"
Ahhh Armand, I so love reading you - always! Who is this narrator of whom you speak? I'd love to discover her works as well!
Ramya Vivekanandan: The narrator is memorable to me, because history LIVED in the young woman's inner fabric.
She was a guide to some of the plantations, speaking vividly of the evils of slavery and the uprightness of the rebellions to free the slaves.
She became beautiful in speaking inner conviction.
She presented history that is worthy of her ancestors, with love, with inner conviction, existentially tied to her righteous freedom-fighters.
This was many years ago; I do not know her name: but her spirit is live and present to me and a part of my experience of the beauty that is in the land and in the people of Jamaica.
Thank you so much for replying and sharing, Armand. So glad that you too know the beauty and heart of Jamaica - there's no other place that compares!
Wonderful account, Ramya
Thank you, my friend!