Laid out behind the likes of Salman Rushdie, Jamaica Kincaid, nine-year-old poetesses and a family of dancing Rastafari was the flat, silver Caribbean Ocean. It was calm and languid, although a breeze blew through almost the whole weekend of the Calabash Festival, keeping a substantial crowd cool.
One couldn’t help but think about the ocean during the festival as writers took to the podium to share their work and thoughts with the audience. Its power and presence are perhaps what keep this festival so lovely, unpretentious and welcoming of all ages and colours and interests.
It was my first time at Calabash and I’m now sorry I have missed previous years. The highlight for me was both Jamaica Kincaid and Salman Rushdie. For her part, Kincaid read for a short while and then engaged in a discussion about everything from how she writes (it is not a profession but rather a lifestyle to be delighted in); mental illness (she recommended it, with a laugh, as a means of becoming a good writer); and black people (“who says black people don’t read?” she asked as she looked out at the audience.)
Salman Rushdie’s conversation was just as revealing, including some time devoted to some of his favourite music (Elvis Presley and Lou Reed).
I have not read either of these writers yet, but I now will. I also thoroughly enjoyed the open mic segments. There is some strong talent here, including the brave children who read their own poems about race, rainy days and various professions. As a child I wrote poems, stories, articles prolifically but could I have ever gotten on a stage to read something? Only right before fainting, I think.
The festival closed with a wonderful musical performance. I must also say that the food was delicious, my favourite being the Ital food. Overall, it is an amazing festival, so unpretentious, as I stated before, but it is worth repeating because these types of events can easily degenerate and become inaccessible. Another important thing to note is that it is FREE! And in the beautiful, languid parish of St. Elizabeth, which is on the South East coast of Jamaica. Thank you Calabash for a wonderful experience!
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