ArtsEtc’s annual enviro-arts lime in review

IN JUNE 2012, ArtsEtc launched its latest publication, Green Readings: Barbados, The First Five Years [2008-2012] on the Boardwalk at Hastings. It was a fun occasion and part of Green Readings 2012—the annual showcase of open-air environmental readings and performance.

The 48-page anthology features the work of roughly 24 literary and other artists who have participated in Green Readings since its inception in 2008, an overview of the readings and the philosophy behind them.

The annual event and the publication are the result of partnership between ArtsEtc and the Environment Education Committee in Barbados’ Ministry of the Environment and Drainage. The Green guide wound up as far away as Brazil as Environment officers took copies with them to the 2012 Earth Summit in Rio—an amazing opportunity for Barbadian writing and creativity to reach appreciative audiences far beyond our shores.

The launch was followed by performances from featured Green Readers Ian Bourne reading in tribute to his late mother Carolle Bourne, Arnold Ward and Dana Gilkes; and anthology contributors reading short excerpts from the book. The theme for the 2012 readings was “heritage.”

There was also some excellent jazz from James De Lovell & Friends, a lively Boardwalk Talk (open mic) session, plus books on sale, refreshments—in short, the cool lime that is Green Readings.

A week later, we did it all over again at Folkestone Park and Marine Reserve in Holetown, St. James, when the featured readers were Keoma Mallett, Norma Meek and Indrani Santiago followed by an open mic session that followed was as lively and talented-filled as the first.

• Green Readings is an ArtsEtc annual literary event that takes place over two weekends in June in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and is part of the Government of Barbados’ activities for Environment Month. Click here for more on the history of Green Readings. Copies of the anthology are http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEV8F2r2KyY available by contacting artsetc@sunbeach.net..