Presented and produced by Miami Dade College
Miami, Oct. 12, 2016 – With the support of the Knight Foundation and the Green Family Foundation, and in partnership with Sosyete Koukouy, Bocas Literary Festival, and ReadJamaica, the 33rd Miami Book Fair —the nation’s finest and largest literary gathering at Miami Dade College (MDC)—presents ReadCaribbean, a series of extensive readings and panel discussions highlighting the vibrant and diverse literary culture of the Caribbean. In addition to the events below, which specifically highlight Caribbean themes, authors from the Caribbean (and the Caribbean diaspora) will participate in readings and other events.
“In keeping with Green family foundations commitment to the diversity of Miami’s community, we are proud to partner with the Miami Book Fair in highlighting and featuring authors and creative minds from our neighbors in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Kimberly Green of the Green Family Foundation
ReadCaribbean discussions and readings at Miami Book Fair 2016:
Transatlantic Pollination (Presented in English)
The Caribbean colonies were established—and served for centuries—as a nexus for various forms of trade. The region also became a cultural crossroads, blending European, African and indigenous American culture. Join Jacqueline Couti, Laurent Dubois, Ronald Angelo Johnson, Andrea J. Queeley and moderator Marlene L. Daut for a panel discussion exploring the interplay of cultural currents throughout the Caribbean.
The Caribbean Short Story: Continuity, Innovation, and the Voices of Story Writing (English)
The short story is a vital Caribbean literary form. Through its continuity and innovation, the short story gathers and reflects the individual and collective voices of culture and history. Join Caribbean short story writers and editors Rhoda Bharath, Sharon Millar and Olive Senior as they consider the problems and possibilities—aesthetic, traditional, ideological, and cultural—of publishing short stories. The panel will also explore the ways that short fiction has changed the Caribbean literary landscape over the ages.
No Place Like Home: Setting in the Contemporary Caribbean Novel (Presented in English)
Where does one set the modern novel in this globalized age? What are the artistic and political implications of these choices? In a modern world where stories take place across and outside of national boundaries, how does setting impact subject, tone, and point of view? A panel of Caribbean writers, with ties to multiple countries, will reflect on how to situate the trans-national novel, and highlight narrative tools to bring geographically rich narratives to life. The panel includes André Alexis, Jacqueline Bishop and Marie-Ketsia Théodore-Pharel
Reading Jamaica (Presented in English)
Fresh poetry and prose from some of Jamaica’s finest writers, including Dingo, Garfield Ellis, A-Dziko Simba Gegele, Melanie Schwapp and Tanya Shirley.
The Politics of Pleasure: Caribbean Women Writing about Sex (Presented in English)
Caribbean sexuality is both hyper-visible and obscured. Celebrated in popular culture as an important ingredient in Caribbean social life and flaunted to attract tourists to the region, sex is also shrouded in double entendre, secrecy and shame. This discussion, presented by Origins, a literary journal that explores the narrative arts through the lens of identity, will explore the difficulties and delights of Caribbean women writing about sex and desire across generations, cultures, and genres. Panelists include Anjanette Delgado, Fabienne Josaphat, Katia D. Ulysse, Donna Aza Weir-Soley, and moderators Hector Duarte, Jr. and Jennifer Maritza McCauley.
Koze Mande Chèz: Conversations on Contemporary Haitian Literature (Presented in Kreyòl Ayisyen with Simultaneous Interpretation in English)
The current state of contemporary Haitian literature is discussed among these literary luminaries. Join the panel for a meaningful discussion of Haiti’s literature from each author’s generational, linguistic and stylistic perspective. Panel includes Edwidge Danticat, Yanick Lahens, Gary Victor, and moderator Michèle Pierre-Louis.
Vodou Explorations (Presented in Kreyòl Ayisyen with Simultaneous Interpretation in English)
Vodou (in its various forms) is an integral cornerstone of West African roots culture. Contemporary authors and scholars will explore different facets of Vodou, offering fresh and diverse perspectives on the subject. Panel includes Mimerose Beaubrun, Jerry M. Gilles, Frantz “Kiki” Wainwright, and moderators Gérard Férère and Ingrid Llera.
Reformation: Women on History, Mystery and Inspiration (Presented in French with Simultaneous Interpretation in English)
Authors on this panel have produced works that force the reader to re-contextualize their perceptions of Caribbean women, both historically and spiritually, and present their ideas on developing a new toolkit for the modern Caribbean woman. Panel includes Mimerose Beaubrun, Myriam J.A. Chancy, Gessica Généus, Gisèle Pineau and moderator Nancy Férère.
Pwezi Kreyòl Kounye a (Presented in Kreyòl Ayisyen with Simultaneous Interpretation in English)
A panel of contemporary poets detail their exploration of “modern” Haitian Creole poetic forms and their reflections on the past and present state of Haitian poetry. Panel includes Anivince Jean-Baptiste, Josaphat-Robert Large, Yvette Leroy-Wanègès, Schiller Marcelin, Iléus Papillon and moderator Lochard Noël.
State of the Kreyòl Union: A Discussion with Members of the Kreyòl Academy (Presented in Kreyòl Ayisyen with Simultaneous Interpretation in English)
Haiti’s recently established “Akademi Kreyòl Ayisyen” is tasked with the development, preservation and propagation of Haitian Creole. Current members of this pre-eminent council on all matters pertaining to the language, present their ongoing work on the past, present and future of Kreyòl Ayisyen. Panel includes Gérard Férère, Michel-Ange Hyppolite, Claude Pierre, Jean-Robert Placide, Marie Jocelyne Trouillot, and moderator Max Manigat.
For a complete list of authors of Caribbean heritage, please visit www.miamibookfair.com, call 305-237-3528, or email wbookfair@mdc.edu.
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Visit MiamiReads.com for complete schedule and more information. #MiamiReads
Miami Book Fair
Widely recognized as the largest and finest literary gathering in the U.S., the Miami Book Fair’s eight-day festival features readings and conversations with the world’s most renowned authors and more than 200 booksellers and exhibitors across various genres and interests. Book lovers are also treated to culinary presentations, live music, dance and theater performances, interactive art projects, fun and educational activities for children, and more! In addition to the annual festival, the Miami Book Fair builds community and promotes reading and writing throughout the year with activities open to all, including creative writing courses taught by local and visiting authors, literary gatherings and happy hours and Read to Learn Books for Free, a partnership with The Children’s Trust that distributes more than 160,000 free books a year to children in Miami-Dade County.
Miami Book Fair is made possible through the generous support of the State of Florida and the National Endowment for the Arts; the City of Miami; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; Miami-Dade County Public Schools; the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Miami Downtown Development; and the Friends of the Fair; as well as many corporate partners. Miami Book Fair: Building community, one reader at a time.
Miami Book Fair media contacts: Lisa Palley, 305-642-3132 lpalley@bellsouth.net, or Deyanira Navarrette, 305-495-7168, deyanavarrette@gmail.com