Kelly Magnus looks forward to the exciting Caribbean Literary Festival in 2025 in the Diaspora
tHe said the best way to get to know the Caribbean is to visit as many countries as possible. The second best way? Through this literature, we experience local affluence and diversity.
There are more opportunities to do both. This year we boast an incredibly complete calendar and a book fair calendar that will keep you country hopping and page turning all year round.
The organisational teams behind the festival are as diverse as their literary products, from vast country-sponsored festivals like the Havana International Book Fair to volunteer-led initiatives like the newly created Jamaica Book Festival.
A common bond lies in the story of their origins. Each event spurred a commitment to celebrating Caribbean literature and a desire to connect local writers to large local and international audiences.
As Caribbean literature continues to be globally aware, the concentration of Caribbean writers at major US festivals has been greater and more consistent. Perhaps the capital of the Caribbean diaspora, Brooklyn is home to its own Caribbean literary festival, bringing together American and local readers and writers.
Each festival has its own style and flavor, offering mixes of Caribbean and international writers, panel discussions, musical events, workshops and seminars to suit the needs of aspiring authors and general readers.
Some have already been done, like Colombia’s Hay Festival Cartagena (January – February PM), and you should be on your radar next year. Havana International Book Fair, Cuba (February).
Future dates are tentative and are tentative here, so frequently check the organizer’s website for the latest schedule and author confirmation.
USVI Light Fest and Book Fair
St. Croix, Virgin Islands, USA
April 10th-13th
usvilitfest.com
Bocas Light Fest
Trinidad and Tobago
May 1st-4th
bocaslitfest.com
Calabash International Literary Festival
Treasure Beach in Jamaica
23-25 ​​May
Calabashfestival.org
Fairytale festival
Kingston, Jamaica
July 11th-14th
bookfairyfestival.com
Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival
Brooklyn, New York, USA
September 5th-8th
bklyncbeanlitfest.org
Brooklyn Book Festival
Brooklyn, New York, USA
September 21st-28th
Brooklynbookfestival.com
BVI Literary Festival
Tortola, the Virgin Islands of England
November 6th-9th
bvilitfest.com
International Book Fair Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic
November 6th – 16th
Miami Book Fair
Miami, Florida, USA
November 16th-23rd
miamibookfair.com
Gimistory International Storytelling Festival
November 23rd – December 1st
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Jamaica Book Festival
Kingston, Jamaica
December 4th-7th
jamaicabookfest.com
