[Many thanks to Peter Jordens for bringing this item to our attention.] liv little (GuardianMay 28, 2025) will be reviewing the Calabash Literary Festival with deep gratitude. Here is an excerpt.
Marlon James, Ian Machuwan and Cheryl Lee Ralph illuminated the Jamaican event, reading, debating, and celebrating the huge cultural footprints of the small island.
“Do I Look Like a Rebel?” Booker Prize Winner Marlon James Joke up, he walks down the stage and then asks the crowd, tying his fear into his head to the sound of the smell that smells like Nirvana.
If the only experience of the literary festival is polite and is a well-managed matter in a tent in the English countryside, and in a tent at the literary festival in Karabasch held at Treasure Beach, Jamaica, then hits in a different way. It’s a rare pleasure to see the majority black audience and roster at a literary event as well as a setting. This festival is filled with magic and fire born from resistance.
James was one of many authors who shared it. It’s not for the festival, he wouldn’t be the titan of literary today. After one of Calabash’s current long-standing open mic sessions, he secured his first publication contract. Not surprising, people were waiting at the snaking line, waiting for over an hour to get 3 minutes on the microphone.
For festival participants, one of the most anticipated readings of the weekend was Saffiya Sinclair’s National Book Critics Circle Award. How to say Babylon – First time at home. [. . .]
The Calabash Literary Festival was founded in 2001 by poet Kwame Dawes, novelist Colin Channer and producer Justine Henzell (the beachfront hotel that owns his family, runs Jakes and hosts the festival). What began as a small event in the lobby of Jaks has only 150 guests and attracting thousands of people a quarter later. And unlike most literary festivals, Calabash is completely free to participate. “Passion is the only price for entry,” the website says, but adds that “voluntary contributions are welcome.” [. . .]
The charm of the festival is undoubtedly amplified by its smooth, picturesque environment. A shattering wave through the blue sky, and an endless ray of sunlight, the author’s speaking stage. If you think Treasure Beach is a sleepy town full of beach asses, fishermen, locals and former supportive types who have traded careers with psychedelic retreats, you’re not completely wrong. However, when the festival begins, a rebellious spirit is guided. The weekend format is simple. Readings organized into specific themes are separated by handful of headline lectures.
The Calabash crowd is a world made up of authors and book lovers from all over the Caribbean, as well as authors and book lovers from the UK, US, Canada and South Africa. There was also a new wave of influencers present. This included notable bookmakers such as Trinidad-based @bookofcinz and South African @pretty_x_bookish. [. . .]
And of course, this is Jamaica. So, although the days were full of conversations about crafting and storytelling, the nights belonged to music. On Friday and Saturday, the festival turned into a party, with live performances and DJing not beginning until midnight. And then closed on Sunday afternoon with a moving celebration that was a homage to the power of Roots Reggae as a form of cultural memory and resistance, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Burning Spear’s album Marcus Garvey. [. . .]
For the complete article, please refer to https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/may/28/infused-with-the-fire-of-the-magic of the-calabash-litary-festival
Also read Howard Campbell: “Calabash Festival gives you the biggest turnout of all time.” Jamaica Observer: https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2025/05/29/calabash-festival-gets-lative-turnout- ever
