Jamaica Book Festival debuts Africa-Caribbean literary exchange

The Confucius Institute at The University of the West Indies, Mona, transformed into a dynamic literary hub of conversation, creativity, and cross-continental connection last Saturday as the Jamaica Book Festival (JBF) hosted its inaugural Africa Caribbean Literary Exchange.

Held in partnership with the PJ Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy and powered by the African Export–Import Bank, the literary festival brought together authors, poets, publishers, cultural leaders and lovers of literature and the arts, for a day of engaging panel discussions, audio book listening sessions, and live readings of the shared histories and the evolving relationship between Africa and the Caribbean.

The exchange unfolded through a series of thought-provoking conversations exploring the evolving literary landscape across the two continents. Discussions ranged from the practical–including pathways to publishing and strengthening regional book ecosystems–to broader cultural reflections on language, diaspora identity, and the global rise of contemporary African and Caribbean storytelling. Together, the sessions highlighted literature’s power as a bridge between the regions, fostering collaboration, cultural exchange, and new narratives that resonate beyond the Atlantic.

For festival attendee, Rasheeda Pitter, the panel discussion on building black arts ecosystems struck a chord. That discussion was moderated by Andrea Dempster Chung with panellists Kaiel Eytle, Kam-Au Amen, Scott Dunn, and Kacy Garvey.

“I really appreciated that panel in particular because I find that many creatives only like to create and often shy away from the business of the industry. But if we are to grow and become successful, turning our art into profit is very necessary,” she said.

Another standout experience during the literary exchange was Books for Breakfast, powered by Odiyo and Bookman Express. Extending well beyond breakfast time, the listening lounge took patrons on a sensory experience as they enjoyed the sounds of a curated list of Caribbean literature.

For Saeed Thomas, founder of the audio app Odiyo, the concept addresses a long-standing gap. “I was looking for Caribbean books on popular platforms and couldn’t readily identify them,” he said. “And when I did find them, they were often narrated by non-Caribbean voices. It didn’t feel authentic.

One of the featured audio titles was In the Morning Yah by actor and writer Sheldon Shepherd, who also performed during the open poetry segment of the programme.

Rianne Garvin, a Trinidadian UWI student, said the experience changed her perception of audiobooks.

“I typically read physical books because I prefer the text style,” she said. “But I really enjoyed how immersive the audiobook was, especially hearing it in something I’m familiar with.”

Altogether, patrons were a picture of enthusiasm and delight as they enjoyed the day’s happenings.

“The Jamaica Book Festival is positioning itself not only as a space for literary celebration but as a platform for regional exchange, industry development, and new modes of storytelling,” said Latoya West-Blackwood, founder and director of JBF.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com