If these islands could talk: 4 days at the Anguilla Literary Festival

SLIDESHOW - A writer takes a stroll through the Anguila Literary Festival...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

After enjoying some of the local entertainment – a wonderful dance troupe singing traditional Anguillan folks songs – we’re whisked off to dinner at the incomparable Oliver’s. There we tuck into a gorgeous three course meal that starts with a fresh goat cheese salad, followed by creamy and delicate seafood compote, a sweet and warm coconut cake offering the perfect denouement. Next stop – Dreamland.

The following day we are introduced to some of Anguilla’s local literary talents (a nice change from the heavy African American perspective offered the day before) including Dwayne Adams and Particia J. Adams – mother and son. They read from their respective volumes of poetry, painting well draw portraits of the distinct cultural landscape of Anguilla. It is interesting how formal and conforming to the strictures of the British literary canon the local writers seem.

During a brief interview, Mrs. Adams speaks of the pride of the Anguillan people, and how writing is a form of documentation: “ People like to see their cultural experience reflected in works of art. Anguilla is unique, and it is those unique cultural experiences that distinguish Anguillan writers and their works.”

In the afternoon Terry McMillan once again commands the crowd – a juggernaut of insight and pragmatism. She has the group complete a writing exercise that leaves few dry eyes in the audience.

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