BIM Litfest Director takes a breather, answers pertinent questions
Q: What was the inspiration for this particular festival in Barbados?
EP: My own passion for writing, and the firm conviction that we, Barbadians, have literary gifts to offer to the world, too. The other strong factor was my wanting to see some alternative to what I called the "wuk-up" culture. It bothered me that Barbadian culture was too often linked to dexterity of the waistline, and not the intellectually creative expression of which it is capable. Create the kind of environment you want and the right energy will manifest itself.
Q: Why the theme Breaking Borders?
EP: Creative expression is inseparable from the imagination, which, according to one of our great writers, is sovereign. The imagination allows us to cross any barrier: culture, race, class, age, religion and any other boundaries that may exist. This idea of breaking borders is what the Bim Lit Fest is seeking to convey in its panel discussions and cross-section of writers and readers. The festival is also open to the public, which is, itself, an invitation to all people, everywhere, to join us.
Q: What exciting things can we expect from this edition of the festival and its new location?
EP: The Independence Square is a natural hub and the Bim Literary Festival belongs to everybody. F I'd love to see the average Joe stop by and write something he wants to say on the Word Art Wall. I'd like people to come and listen to poets and prose writers possibly express, in their reading, some feelings and emotions that they, themselves, have experienced. I must say, as well, that one of the great events for me will be the raising of the Chamberlain Bridge and the crossing of the boat in order to highlight our theme this year of "Crossings: Breaking Borders."
Q: With a homegrown festival of this nature, you’re not only welcoming other writers to your shores but also saying Barbadian writers have their contribution to make to world literature as well. What would you say that contribution is?
EP: That contribution is our Barbadianness which is, admittedly, a bit harder to define these days. But there is, among all Barbadian writers, a common history, folklore,customs, idioms of speech, that make us uniquely who we are. We are also proud of our literary tradition with the likes of Frank Collymore, George Lamming, Kamau Brathwaite, Austin Clarke, H.A Vaughan. But we also intend to make the statement that there are other names gaining regional and international acclaim. as will be shown on our Bridgetown Literary Tour, another innovative marker of this festival.
Q: What can we look forward to from the readings, workshops and panel discussions this time around?
EP: Great things happen in the assembly of great minds! I expect that provocative topics related to ethnicity and sexuality will spark some pretty strong responses. I believe that lovers of literature will feel privileged to hear the readings of seasoned writers such as Eddie Baugh and Erna Brodber. I know that the younger audiences in particular will be thrilled by the spoken word poetry. I am sure that emerging and more established writers will welcome the opportunity to further hone their skills. This will be a great festival!
Q: How has the support been for the festival, both from the private and public sectors?
EP: Our main support has come from the Arts and Sport Promotion Fund, Ministry of Finance. For the Children’s Fair, the Maria Holder Memorial Trust has once again generously stepped in. Writers Ink commends the Government for its vision relative to the development of these vital factors in our nation. But the response from the private sector could be a whole lot better. There needs to be a recognition that the Bim Literary Festival & Book Fair is aiming to develop the whole individual. The private sector complains about the poverty of verbal and writing skills. There is as well a paucity of imagination which prevents innovation and the willingness to break away from old methods. Reading and love of literature encourage the changes in thinking and behaviors that are beneficial to all of us.
Q: This festival is, as you say, about showing literature—words—love. On that note, what is your favourite book or who is your favourite author and why?
EP: I cannot say that I have a favorite book. My favorite writers are poets: Derek Walcott, T.S Eliot, W.B Yeats and Seamus Heaney.
Q: What was the first book to truly capture your imagination and attention (as a child or adult); what was it about the book that did it?
EP: Difficult to pin this down to one book, but certainly, The Road Less Travelled by Scot Peck made a lasting impression on me. I was really searching for answers at the time and the book seemed to unravel some issues for me: the idea of purpose and of a hidden wisdom in the universe. Those thoughts helped to keep me focused at the time.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
EP: No, thank you. Too tired :-) Not fuh true! Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Bim Lit Fest.
